A local police department is enhancing safety for town pedestrians, cyclists, and runners by distributing free high-visibility safety vests.

The police department secured funding through a state active transportation microgrant program—an initiative designed to create safer, more accessible travel conditions for people of all ages who walk, bike, or use non-motorized transportation, while encouraging adoption of these healthy, eco-friendly modes of travel. Using the grant, the department acquired 100 high-visibility safety vests.

A key feature of these vests is their bright color and highlight reflective strips, which significantly boost the visibility of pedestrians and cyclists sharing roads with motor vehicles. This effort aligns with the police department's broader commitment to traffic safety, especially amid regional data showing hundreds of annual crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists—including fatalities—and a smaller number of pedestrian crashes in the town itself in recent years.

To ensure widespread access, local patrol officers will carry a supply of the reflective vests during their rounds, distributing them directly to pedestrians, runners, and cyclists they encounter. Community members interested in obtaining a vest proactively can also connect with the police department through official contact channels.