Safe Driving News: SPD Member honored by MADD; JPPP was partially sponsored by DA (Updated)

Above: SPD’s Detective Owen O’Brien was honored by the Mass chapter of MADD. And the DA helped the APTO offer a safe option for kids after junior prom. (images edited from photo contributed by Southborough Police Department and from DA Early’s Facebook post)

The Mass Chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) selected a member of the Southborough Police Department as their “Officer of the Year”. The award was made to Police Detective Owen O’Brien based on his “strong commitment to impaired driving enforcement and roadway safety”.

While I’m sharing that news, I’ll also throw in a semi-related tidbit. The Algonquin Parent Teacher Association (APTO) received a $1,200 grant to help pay for the ARHS Junior Post Prom Party to help keep kids safe after their big bash.

Officer of the Year

A press release by the SPD credits O’Brien with having made over 45 arrests for drivers alleged to have been Operating Under the Influence. According to an email from Chief Ryan Newell, those arrests were in 2024.

In an email exchange, Chief Newell confirmed that most of those drivers were made on Route 9 of non-residents passing through Southborough.

I took a look at recent police logs. In May alone, the SPD arrested 8 drivers for alleged OUIs (some with additional charges), mostly at around 1:00 – 3:00 am, and another 10 drivers for alleged offenses like driving with a suspended license. Most were on Route 9, but many were also on Boston Road and some were on other streets in town. (You can look at all of the SPD’s 2025 police logs here.)

Below is the full press release focusing on Detective O’Brien’s recognition at Tuesday’s ceremony for his work:

Chief Ryan Newell and the Southborough Police Department are proud to announce that Detective Owen O’Brien has been named the 2025 Officer of the Year by the Massachusetts Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Detective O’Brien was formally recognized at MADD Massachusetts’ Annual Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony, held Tuesday morning at the Devens Common Center.

The Officer of the Year Award is MADD’s highest honor for law enforcement in Massachusetts. It is presented annually to an officer who demonstrates a strong commitment to impaired driving enforcement and roadway safety.

Last year, Detective O’Brien made over 45 arrests for operating under the influence, and his proactive traffic enforcement efforts contributed significantly to keeping the Southborough community and surrounding areas safe.

“Detective O’Brien has shown an incredible commitment to removing impaired drivers from our roads,” said Chief Newell. “We are proud to see MADD recognize his extraordinary efforts in preventing tragedies before they happen.”

MADD Massachusetts annually honors officers, departments and prosecutors from across the Commonwealth who have gone above and beyond in the fight against drunk and drugged driving.

“Receiving this award is an incredible honor,” said Detective O’Brien. “Impaired driving continues to pose serious risks to everyone on the road, and I’m grateful for the support of my department and my fellow officers in continuing this important work.”

APTO Grant from District Attorney’s Office

The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office recently awarded Algonquin Regional High School with a $1,200 grant. The funding was for Algonquin’s JPPP, put on by the APTO as a safe after-prom-party for juniors.

The APTO applied for a grant under a program run by the DA’s office for “for safe post-prom and post-graduation events designed to keep students from driving impaired.”

According to DA Joseph Early’s website, “Now in its seventh year, the program annually awards funds to support events in more than 20 different schools across Worcester County.”

Last week, JPPP organizer Denise Eddy and ARHS Principal Sean Bevan accepted a ceremonial big check from Early. They were joined by members of the Northborough and Southborough police departments.

The JPPP at Apex last month did cost a lot more than $1,200 to put on. The funding was also made possible through sponsorships and donations. Juniors (and their dates) only had to pay $25 each to attend. (Those those that couldn’t afford the fee were encourage to reach out for the APTO to have that fee covered.)

Updated (6/12/25 10:58 am): Chief Newell clarified that when he informed me O’Brien’s arrests were in this “past year” alone, he meant “last year” — calendar year 2024.