(HARRISBURG) – The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) approved grants today to help local law enforcement agencies better protect their communities, according to Senator Joe Pittman (R-41), Representative Donna Oberlander (R-63) and Representative Jim Struzzi (R-62).
Community safety grants were awarded as part of PCCD’s ‘Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program’, which was created by lawmakers in the 2022-2023 state budget that was approved in July. The funding can be used for a variety of different projects or purchases to enhance public safety, such as communications system upgrades, body-worn or in-car cameras, recruitment and retention, training, surveillance cameras, automated license plate readers and more.
Pittman underscored the need for these investments, given that Pennsylvania has the highest violent crime rate of any state in the Northeast, according to FBI data. Between 2019 and 2020, no other state reported a greater year-over-year increase in violence.
“Across our state we have seen a spike in crime that is greatly concerning and that must be addressed,” Senator Pittman said. “Public safety is a core responsibility of government, and these grants will play a substantial role in helping to further protect our communities. It is crucial that we continue to work with local law enforcement to provide them with the tools and resources that they need, to ensure that Pennsylvanians feel safe in the towns, cities and communities they call home.”
“An important part of strong law enforcement is the ability to effectively share information,” Representative Oberlander said. “This grant will enable Kittanning Borough police to purchase the equipment necessary to do so. I am pleased they applied for the grant and even more pleased it was awarded.”
“Providing safe communities is a fundamental role of government as this is a critical element in maintaining and improving our local infrastructure and economy,” Representative Struzzi said. “It’s difficult to grow as a society if our citizens don’t feel secure and protected. These grants help members of local law enforcement do their job and address the threat posed by those whose intent is to do us harm. I am happy to support these efforts to strengthen law enforcement.”
Grant recipients in Armstrong and Indiana Counties include:
- Kittanning Borough in Armstrong County – $196,000 to be used for Records Management System hardware/software, a data analyst and laptop/desktop computers.
- Indiana Borough in Indiana County – $581,566 to upgrade portable radios and purchase mobile radios for all municipal departments throughout Indiana County.
As part of this round of funding, PCCD approved grants to 197 law enforcement agencies totaling $135 million statewide.
CONTACTS:
Senator Pittman – Kate Flessner kflessner@pasen.gov 717-787-8724
Representative Oberlander – Jennifer Keaton Jkeaton@pahousegop.com 717-705-2094
Representative Struzzi – Scott Little Slittle@pahousegop.com 717-260-6137