In the true spirit of Community Policing the Millis Police Department has successfully extended their crime prevention efforts to all of its residents. Most importantly, remembering and involving youth in their town. A shining example of this partnership is Mary Kate Duffy.

Mary Kate has been an integral part of the Millis DARE Program, and has taken the initiative to become involved in the community as a role model. She leads by example, involving herself in school, sports and other extracurricular activities that clearly demonstrate the positive alternatives to drug and alcohol use. Recently, Mary Kate was named as the Massachusetts Representative to the DARE America Youth Advisory Board. In this Capacity, she is only one of 50 students nationwide working with DARE America.

 Currently, Mary Kate is developing a local version of the nationwide program called “Peer Plus” for the town of Millis. She is working in conjunction with the middle school principal, business owners, and the  police department to implement an after school program for youth that would otherwise have no place else to go.

Through all of her participation, Mary Kate has proven herself to be a responsible and reliable member of her community and an asset to her police department. It is our hope that through the efforts of community policing and the success of the DARE Program young adults will find Neighborhood Watch a natural next step in their Community involvement.