September 3, 2008
PATERSON—U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security today announced that police in the cities of Paterson and Passaic have been awarded over $100,000 in federal grant funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
In Paterson, $68,631 in JAG funding will assist the Department improve its first responder role by facilitating the purchase of equipment for its newly-formed Emergency Response Team. In addition to the JAG funding, Pascrell recently earmarked $446,000 in federal funding for the Paterson PD to purchase new interoperable digital radios to improve emergency response and preparedness.
“As the former mayor of Paterson, I fully understand the importance of having a fully equipped emergency response team,” stated Pascrell. “This funding will help provide Paterson police with the resources they need to respond quickly and confidently to emergency incidents.”
“It is very rewarding to hear that there will be additional funding given to us the by the federal government,” stated Paterson Police Chief James Wittig. “Once again Congressman Pascrell answers our call for more updated equipment and advancement in our technology. This money will be used to aide our Emergency Response Team in their mission, which is not only to assist patrol in their day to day operations but to provide the city with enhanced weapons and tactics in dealing with their responsibilities."
In Passaic $31,892 in JAG funding will be used to outfit a new mobile command center with fully interoperable communications equipment. The funding comes in addition to the $211,000 Pascrell recently secured for the purchase of Passaic PD’s mobile command center. Pascrell praised the Department’s continued commitment to expanding interoperable communications as an important lesson learned from September 11th terrorist attacks.
“Local and county law enforcement agencies in Passaic County have made incredible strides this year to improve and integrate emergency communications,” stated Pascrell. “I applaud the City of Passaic’s aggressive pursuit of new technology to improve public safety. The need for adequate emergency communications technology for first responders was one of the most important lessons learned on September 11th. Improved communications capability will help Passaic’s police better respond to emergency incidents and help to reduce crime and gang activity throughout the city.”
In addition to interoperable improvements in the cities of Paterson and Passaic, Pascrell and U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez recently announced a $267,000 earmark to fund the Passaic County Prosecutors Office emergency communications network.
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Program is a Justice Department program that allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions.
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