|
Helmetta, NJ -- Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today announced the acquisition of a $40,000 grant for the Helmetta Police Department to upgrade the radio systems in its patrol cars. The interoperable radio systems will help police officers communicate and respond more quickly and effectively to emergencies in the community.
“Police officers are often the first line of defense for preventing and responding to emergencies in the community, and quick and reliable communication is key to operating effectively,” said Rep. Holt.
A main problem cited with the response to the September 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina was the inability of first responders to effectively communicate with each other. Rep. Holt has worked to ensure that local police departments are equipped with the communications equipment that they need.
Rep. Holt secured the $40,000 through the Fiscal Year 2006 appropriation for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program within the U.S. Department of Justice. Since the COPS program was enacted in 1994, New Jersey law enforcement agencies have received more than $344 million in COPS grants. President Bush’s 2007 budget proposal would cut $376 million (78.7%) from the program. The budget proposal would also cut overall funding for state and local justice assistance by $1.1 billion (54.1%) below the 2006 level, eliminating essential programs like Edward Byrne grants and juvenile justice grants.
“The COPS program is vital to putting more police officers in New Jersey communities and ensuring that they are well equipped,” said Rep. Holt. “Congress must reject the President’s proposed cuts. Protecting the security of our cities and communities requires more than empty rhetoric. The federal government should be supporting local law enforcement agencies and first responders, not cutting their funding in order to pay for tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest Americans.”
Accepting the check from Rep. Holt was Helmetta Mayor Nancy Martin and Police Chief Cully Lewis. “This is great news for the Borough of Helmetta,” said Mayor Martin. “Right now we’re using borrowed equipment, so it’s good to be able to buy our own.”
“The new radios will be a great help to the Borough of Helmetta,” said Chief Lewis. “It means so much that Rep. Holt is willing to help all the towns in his district, even the small ones.”
### |
