March 10, 2023
Bucks County, PA – March 10, 2023– Today, Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representatives Brian Munroe (D-144) and Shelby Labs (R-143) announced $80,000 in law enforcement funding for New Britain Township Police Department through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
The funds were made available as part of the PCCD’s Local Law Enforcement Support Grant program, using money from the Federal American Rescue Plan. The funds will be used for in car camera systems and mobile modems.
“Our communities are safest when our local police have adequate resources to do their jobs,” said Senator Santarsiero. “These technological improvements will improve officer safety and provide accountability and transparency to the residents of New Britain Township.”
Rep. Munroe added, “As a former police officer, I recognize how important it is for local law enforcement to have up-to-date technology at hand. By enhancing their communications with in-car camera systems and cradle point mobile modems, we’re equipping the dedicated officers of the New Britain Township Police Department with more of the best tools possible to serve our community.”
“I am thrilled New Britain Township has received funding to support our local law enforcement,” said Rep. Labs. “The work they do in protecting our communities does not go unnoticed and this grant will ensure they have the equipment they need to continue that work.”
“These funds will further modernize the New Britain Township Police Department and improve police services to the New Britain Township community,” said New Britain Township Police Chief Richard Clowser. “This technology can be costly and take years to program into budgets. The awarding of this grant and other grants greatly helps the Township achieve its goals more quickly and efficiently, therefore providing the professional services that the community deserves.”
The Local Law Enforcement Support Grant is designed to provide law enforcement agencies with the necessary resources to implement information technology improvements, purchase or upgrade equipment, cover nontraditional law enforcement personnel costs, support retention and recruitment efforts, and provide necessary training and cover related expenses.
For more information on the PCCD’s Local Law Enforcement Support Grant, visit their website.
December 15, 2022
BUCKS COUNTY – December 15, 2022 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced $5,798,480 in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) awarded throughout the 10th Senatorial District. The grant awards are as follows:
- $70,250 to the United American Muslim Association of NY, Inc. for safety and security upgrades.
- $75,000 to the Zubaida Foundation for safety and security upgrades.
- $525,164 to Bristol Township for mobile data computers, camera and license plate recognition (LPR) upgrade, and fixed LPR recognition.
- $515,793 to the Central Bucks Regional Police Department for maintaining and expanding the co-responder Victim Services Unit, consultant counseling services for victims of crime and for officer wellness, and mobile data terminals and laptops.
- $125,200 to Falls Township for retention bonuses and implementation of a recruitment program.
- $68,371 to Lower Makefield Township for Cellebrite physical analyzer annual subscription and related forensic subscriptions, Talino forensic workstation, AXIOM software, and related training expenses.
- $89,793 to New Hope Borough for CODY Pathfinder records management system, body worn cameras system, and accessories licensing.
- $144,049 to Plumstead Township for Records Management System upgrade, in-car cameras, automated license plate readers, and an evidence-building camera.
- $70,915 to Yardley Borough for mobile data terminals, body-worn cameras, and license plate readers.
- $3,079,328 to the Bucks County Commissioners to support the salary and benefits of two new county detectives, one new prosecutor, and four task force officers.
- $47,000 to the Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) for the 2023 National Children’s Alliance (NCA) Member Child Advocacy Center.
- $291,162 to the Bucks County Commissioners – District Attorney for Rights and Services Act compliance for 2023 and 2024.
- $304,396 to NOVA for Rights and Services Act compliance for 2023 and 2024.
- $254,422 to the Bucks County Commissioners – Juvenile Probation for Victims of Juvenile Offenders (VOJO) 2023 and 2024.
- $66,174 to A Woman’s Place for improving response to domestic violence victims.
- $71,463 to KS Consultants for the Bucks County Youth Justice Advisory Board.
“The grants awarded from PCCD will provide meaningful improvements throughout the district to protect our community, prevent crime, and prosecute those responsible for committing crimes.” Sen. Santarsiero said. “These grants will support local law enforcement and victims of crime alike. I was proud to work with my colleagues to pass a budget that allowed for the PCCD to give nearly $230 million in grants using funding from both state and federal sources. I am pleased that the PCCD has awarded nearly $5.8 million in Bucks County and I look forward to seeing all the good it will do.”
The grants from PCCD will allow localities to invest in infrastructure critical to their core functions and prevent them from becoming obsolete. The grants to Bucks County will allow the Commissioners and District Attorney to hire new officers, detectives, and a prosecutor which will lighten the individual caseload and allow the county to function more efficiently. Finally, the organizational grants will allow the various nonprofits in the community to continue to operate in a way that maximizes the safety and security of all involved.
“Community safety is a legislative priority,” Representative Warren (D-31) said. “These state grants to local governments and local and countywide organizations are investments in the present and future safety and security of our communities.”
“This state funding for the Bristol Township Police Department will help make our streets safer, our homes safer, our workplaces safer,” Representative Davis (D-141) said. “A commitment to public safety will fuel Bristol’s economy, drawing new homeowners and contributing to Bristol Township’s growth. This is a wise investment in Bristol Township’s future.”
“We owe our safety to the Falls Township Police Department so I am proud that the Falls Township FTPD Recruitment and Retention Program has been awarded this state funding to retain its great officers and implement a recruitment program to build an even stronger department,” Representative Galloway (D-140) said. “This is state funding being put to great use to build safer, and therefore stronger, communities.”
The United American Muslim Association of NY, Inc aims to create a safe space where Muslims can fulfil their educational and religious duties, and to teach Islamic knowledge without separation or discrimination. Visit their website.
The Zubaida Foundation is a non-profit in Yardley that holds congregational prayers, educational programs, social activities, interfaith dialogues, and peace efforts centered around the teachings of Islam. Visit their website.
NOVA’s programs serve residents across Bucks County, with offices in Jamison, Perkasie and Fairless Hills. Their Children’s Advocacy Center is a member of the NCA and works to provide a child-friendly setting to assist children and families and investigate abuse. For more information about NOVA, visit their website. For information on the Children’s Advocacy Center, visit their website.
A Woman’s Place is a domestic violence community benefit organization that provides programs and services to individual’s experiencing domestic violence, their children, and their community. Visit their website.
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March 16, 2021
BUCKS COUNTY – March 16, 2021 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced Solebury Township will receive $16,155 through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Federal Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program Funds. These funds will go toward the purchase of body worn camera systems for the use of Solebury Township Police.
“Keeping our communities safe requires ensuring our local police have adequate resources, including body worn cameras that increase accountability,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “These funds for Solebury Township will help the police purchase equipment to help them do their job, while improving transparency and public safety.”
Currently, Solebury Township Police have in-car cameras and plan to make the switch to body-worn cameras.
“The Board was eager to include body-worn cameras into the township budget for 2021 and this grant will help make that a reality,” said Mark Baum Baicker, Board Chair for Solebury Township Board of Supervisors. “Our township police have been relying on cameras in police vehicles, so the switch to body-worn cameras will be a great asset for the police department and for the safety of our community.”
The mission of the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (CJAC) is to support a comprehensive strategy to reduce crime that prioritizes evidence-based policy and practice at every stage of the Commonwealth’s justice system. For more information, visit the PCCD website.
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June 11, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – June 11, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced the award of $120,000 in grant funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to two organizations in Bucks County. The Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) was awarded $100,000 through the Children’s Advocacy Center Advisory Committee (CACAC) funds. The Bucks County Public Defender’s Office will receive $20,000 through the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (CJAC) Capital Case Indigent Defense Program Funds.
“Both NOVA and the Bucks County Public Defender’s Office provide vital assistance to some of the most vulnerable residents of Bucks County,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “The CACAC grant will enable NOVA to continue their important work of advocating for children and families in need. I was also pleased to see that funds will be going to the Public Defender’s office to assist with the legal cases of indigent clients through the CJAC grant.”
“The award from PCCD will allow NOVA to expand on the exceptional forensic and counseling services that we provide to children who are the victims of sexual abuse and their families, said “Penny Ettinger, Executive Director of NOVA. In particular, we will expand our forensic interview services through the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and specialized trauma- counseling for children who have yet to disclose their abuse directly to an adult but where there is significant concern that the abuse has occurred. NOVA is the comprehensive victim services organization in the county. The CAC is a multi-disciplinary partnership with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, the County Children and Youth Agency, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and local law enforcement.”
“This is the first time the Bucks County Public Defender has received an award of funding from PCCD, and we appreciate their approval of our request,” said Ann Russavage-Faust, Chief Public Defender for the agency. “We currently have two pending capital cases and will be putting this award to immediate use on these cases.”
NOVA’s programs serve residents across Bucks County, with offices in Jamison, Perkasie and Fairless Hills. For more information about NOVA, visit their website.
The Bucks County Public Defender’s Office represents indigent defendants in all phases of criminal defense, mental health, and domestic relations proceedings. For more information about the Bucks County Public Defender’s Office, visit their website.
The CACAC seeks to promote prevention, treatment, and justice for victims of child sexual abuse and child abuse through children’s advocacy centers and multidisciplinary investigative teams throughout the Commonwealth. To learn more about the CACAC, visit the PCCD website.
The CJAC supports a comprehensive strategy to reduce crime that prioritizes evidence-based policy and practice at every stage of the Commonwealth’s justice system. To learn more about the CJAC, visit the PCCD website.
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