Springfield to Receive DOJ Grant

SPRINGFIELD — Congressman Richard E. Neal and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced Thursday that the city of Springfield has received a grant from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in the amount of $147, 456 to expand communications and technology at the Springfield Police Department, and to increase officer safety and efficiency. The funds were awarded through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, the primary provider of federal criminal justice assistance to state and local governments. The JAG funds support for a range of program areas, including law enforcement, drug treatment, victim and witness initiatives, and technology improvement programs.

“This important crime-prevention assistance for the city is timely and needed. I have always said the men and women of the Springfield Police Department deserve the appropriate amount of local, state, and federal resources they need to do their jobs effectively. Each day they put their lives at risk to protect families and keep our community safe. With these additional funds, they will be able to continue to do their vital and courageous work on the streets of Springfield.  In my opinion, Mayor Sarno and Commissioner Barbieri deserve great credit for their efforts to secure this highly competitive grant,” said Neal.

Said Sarno, “Police Commissioner John Barbieri is always looking to do cutting edge innovative technology initiatives which in turn will continue to enhance the public safety of each and every one of our residents in the City of Springfield. These funds will assist with improving the technology needed to make the Springfield Police Department more efficient and effective in serving the residents of our fine city.”

According to the DOJ, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can used for state and local initiatives , technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following areas:

• Law enforcement programs;
• Prosecution and court programs;
• Prevention and education programs;
• Corrections and community corrections programs;
• Drug treatment and enforcement programs;
• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and
• Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The Springfield Police Department will use the award funds to support information technology upgrades and purchase protective equipment. The goals of this project are to increase organizational capacity and communications, and enhance officer safety. The use of this federal assistance meets unfunded needs and expands communications and technology capacity and increases officer safety and efficiency.