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DA’s Monthly Wrap-Up: February


OUT AND ABOUT : HIGHLIGHTS


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  • DA Quinn visited the Roosevelt Middle School and spoke to at-risk students in one of their afterschool programs

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  • DA Quinn continued to connect with the communities of greater Taunton by speaking at a meeting for the Kiwanis Club in Taunton, and by attending the Taunton Chamber of Commerce’s 99th Annual Meeting

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  • DA Quinn spoke at a fundraiser for the Katie Brown Educational Program, speaking to the issue of domestic and teen dating violence and lauding KBEP for their efforts to educate youth

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  • DA Quinn filmed a PSA for SMILES Mentoring. He is not only a supporter of mentoring in general, DA Quinn will serve as this year’s Honorary Chairperson for the organization’s annual Miles for SMILES

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  • DA Quinn filmed PSA’s to air on Mansfield Cable Access television on the topics of elder abuse and safety during prom and graduation season. He was also interviewed for their show, ‘The Learning Curve’ to educate viewers about elder financial abuse. In addition, the DA appeared on Money Wise on WBSM to discuss elder abuse and the office’s approach to both prosecution and prevention.

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  • DA Quinn spoke at the annual Oliver Ames High School White Ribbon Day Campaign. This initiative specifically engages men and boys to pledge never to commit nor condone violence against women.

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  • DA Quinn spoke about elder abuse prevention in Freetown at a luncheon hosted by the Freetown Police Association. More than 100 persons were in attendance! He also spoke at a Legislative Breakfast hosted by Coastline Elderly about the need to fund programs that protect seniors. Later in the month, DA Quinn along with Second Assistant Jen St. Laurent Sowa offered a presentation on elder financial abuse for premier customers of Bristol County Savings Bank. Eric Poulin of our office set up resource tables at two of these events.

DA Quinn also….

  • Spoke at the SEMA Police Training Association Reserve Academy Graduation
  • Spoke to at-risk students at Taunton HS enrolled in a ‘Taunton School to Career’ after-school program
  • Attended the Community Connection Coalition’s annual Take This Child to Heart fundraiser

Initiatives Highlights

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DA Quinn with Mansfield Chief Ron Sellon

Opiate abuse prevention

UPDATE – 16 out of 20 police departments now have actively operating drug disposal dropboxes available to the public.

Elder abuse prevention

DA Quinn Elder Abuse Prevention kiosks are now in 32 locations throughout the county: 29 Senior Centers plus Bristol Elder Services’ HQ, Coastline Elderly Services’ HQ and Lantz Law.


Office Spotlights

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Staff in our Appellate Division assisted Boy Scouts from Troop 333 to complete a requirement necessary to advance to a first class scout. The requirement states that they have to visit and discuss with either an elected official, judge, attorney, civil servant, principal or teacher, their constitutional rights and obligations as a U.S. citizen. ADA Roger Michel gave a presentation to the boys to which they asked many questions. ADA’s Shoshana Stern and Tara Blackburn also joined in the discussion. On behalf of District Attorney Quinn, the staff of our Appellate Division, and the entire office, we congratulate these scouts on their advance. We wish them all the best in their continued efforts to become outstanding citizens and role models for their peers!


More efforts in the community:

The following are additional endeavors of the DA’s Community Affairs Unit

  • DA Night at NBHS where Durfee played NB – Kids from both New Bedford clinics were invited as guests of the DA to watch the instructors in action
  • Ashley Bendiksen and Brian Rose joined the Katie Brown Educational Program at Taunton High School to speak to more than 360+ students about teen dating violence
  • April Cabrera was a guest on State Side Cable Show with Rep. Kozcera discussing the Opiate Crisis and what our office is doing to address the issue. She also co-facilitated session 1 of an 8 week focus groups session for high risk youth at Durfee HS discussing marijuana, synthetics and other drugs that are popular among teens.
  • Eric Poulin continued to represent the office at various TRIAD meetings which focus on elder safety and response. In February, these took place at Attleboro, Mansfield, Rehoboth and Somerset. He also attended the monthly meeting of the Southeastern Alliance For Elders (SAFE) Committee.
  • A presentation on Bullying and Cyberbullying was given at the Holy Name School in Fall River by Eric Poulin and ADA Sheila Cunningham. DA Quinn stopped by to speak to the students as well. Both Eric and Sheila also presented a class on bullying, cyberbullying and sexting for parents at the Kuss Middle School in Fall River. This was done through/in conjunction with the Fall River Parent Academy. They also presented this topic to students at the City on a Hill Charter School in New Bedford.
  • Suicide data is now being shared with the newly formed Fall River Suicide Prevention Coalition as well as the Samaritans. They join the Taunton, New Bedford and Bristol County coalitions as partners with our office in the field of suicide prevention. A new coalition is also forming in Attleboro and the DA’s office will attend their meetings and assist them as needed once they are up and running
  • The office set up a resource table with prevention literature at the Family Fun Night at the Luther Elementary School in Swansea, as well as at the Congregational Christian Church in Somerset at a resource fair being held by United Neighbors of Greater Fall River. This fair was geared toward assisting homeless families in the area/families living at the motels in Somerset and Swansea. 


Press Releases: