Stimulus Funds—

Town To Receive $30,000

Law Enforcement Grant

By Andrew Gorosko

Town police officials will review local law enforcement needs in determining how best to spend $30,000 in federal stimulus grant funds that have been designated for Newtown law enforcement, according to Police Chief Michael Kehoe.

“We have many needs,” the police chief said this week.

Beyond the $30,000 in stimulus funds, town police officials need to learn what other possible grants are available to the town for law enforcement, he said.

“We’re happy to have the money,” Chief Kehoe said. Town police are learning the specifics of the stimulus grant program in preparing to formally apply for the designated money, he said.

Asked about how the grant might be employed, Chief Kehoe listed three possible uses for the money.

One possible use would be upgrading the police department’s “uninterrupted power supply” system, which is used to immediately restore electricity at the police station in the event of a power failure.

Also, the police department needs to replace laptop computers used in police patrol cars, the police chief said. The video cameras used in patrol cars also need to be replaced, he added.

“We do have some legitimate needs,” he said.

Members of the Police Commission and police staff members will confer on how best to spend the designated $30,000 stimulus grant, he said.

Chief Kehoe pointed out, however, that receiving the federal grant is not a simple process. Police must first formally apply for the money and then wait for it to arrive before they can spend it, he noted.

Governor M. Jodi Rell on March 27 announced that stimulus grants for law enforcement have been designated for municipalities throughout the state.

Other towns in the region that will receive $30,000 grants include Brookfield, New Milford, Bethel, Ridgefield, and Redding. Danbury will receive $75,000.

Grants of $7,500 will be given to New Fairfield, Roxbury, and Washington.

The state’s three largest cities — Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven — each are slated to receive $100,000.

The grant money may be used for training, personnel, equipment and supplies, information systems, prosecution and court programs, crime prevention and education programs, drug treatment and crime victim support services, as well as planning and evaluation services to improve existing programs.

 “Because of the national economic slump, many of our cities and towns are facing enormous budget pressures of their own and some have even been forced to lay off police officers or other first responders,” Gov Rell said.

“And even in times of plenty, there is always a great need for law enforcement and criminal justice programs. This much-needed funding will help our local governments — and the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep our homes and our families safe — continue to meet their highest responsibility [which is] the safety and security of their residents,” she said in a statement.