Governor Rell: 43 Communities to Share

$1.2 Million in Stimulus Grants for Public Safety

Funds Will Help Local Governments Purchase Protective Gear,

Upgrade Technology and Communications

The state has awarded $1.2 million in federal stimulus grants to 43 communities for public safety and crime prevention needs, Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today.

The Governor said it is the fourth round of funding of the Justice Assistance Grants that the state received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). All 169 municipalities are eligible for the grants and, to date, 122 communities – large and small – have received nearly $3.3 million in four rounds of grant awards.

“These stimulus dollars have helped make a difference in so many of our communities. The grants have allowed local governments to get the equipment or personnel – and in some cases, police dogs – needed to keep citizens safe and enforce the law,” Governor Rell said. “The recession has forced many municipalities to hold off on critical purchases, so we are very pleased that many have been helped by these much-needed grants.”

 The Governor said the grants are administered by the state Office of Policy and Management. Grant amounts in this latest round of awards range from $75,000 for New Haven for protective gear and a mobile fire range to $9,100 for Chaplin for Town Hall security equipment.

For more information on these law enforcement grants and the ARRA in Connecticut: visit the state’s official Web site at: www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link.