Needham Police Issuing Few Traffic Violations; Follows State Trend: Report

NEEDHAM, MA — If it seems like police officers in Needham are handing out fewer tickets, that's because they are.

MassDOT data compiled by the Boston Globe shows that the number of violations issued by the Needham Police Department decreased by 30 percent between 2010 and 2015. The difference is 330 violations.

Overall, Needham is 122nd in the state in issuing traffic violations. The Massachusetts State Police ranks at the top of the list.

So what accounts for the decrease? Statewide, there's been a 35 percent drop from 2009 to 2016 and law enforcement officials say there are various reasons, including fewer state and federal grants for traffic enforcements.

Some agencies are using traffic stops as a teachable moment and are giving written or verbal warnings with the hope that the driver learns their lesson.

Mark Leahy, the executive director of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and a former Northborough police chief, said some officers may be reluctant to hand out a violation due to the increased scrutiny some officers have seen in recent years.

Click here to see the full list.

Below are Needham's full statistics for violations issued between 2010-2015:

• Rank: 122
• 2010: 1,104
• 2011: 1,147
• 2012: 1,143
• 2013: 995
• 2014: 1,053
• 2015: 774
• Difference from 2010 to 2015: -330
• Difference by percentage: 30 percent

Image: File Photo