Harrisburg, PA - Law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania and nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, religious schools, and LGBTQ+ groups that could be targets of hate crimes, are highlighting public safety grants they received from the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). These law enforcement recruitment and nonprofit security enhancement grants comprise just over $6 million of the $19 million in grant funding issued by PCCD earlier this month.
The commission’s chairman, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, visited the Lehigh Valley last week to emphasize how the law enforcement recruitment grants will help the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem recruit, hire, and train dozens of new police officers.
In addition, state lawmakers and local officials are touting the impact these grants will have on their communities:
Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds: “We need more people to want to be police officers in the state of Pennsylvania, and this is a huge step that will allow us to continue to recruit.”
State Sen. Lisa Boscola: “Police officers are a tremendous asset to our communities. Their dedication to serving and protecting our communities is admirable and appreciated — they need to know we have their backs and will continue to fund their training and equipment needs after they join a police force.”
State Rep. Josh Siegel: “This funding will be used to provide the support needed for these communities, so they are well-equipped to deal with any hate that comes their way, not only in the purchasing of new technology, but also keeping the police departments in the community well-staffed.”
State Sen. Steve Santasiero: “Freedom of religion means no one should fear for his or her safety while observing their faith. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, which is why these funds are so important to our community …”
Cities of Allentown and Bethlehem – Law Enforcement Recruitment Grants
Allentown Morning Call: New Bethlehem police officers to receive $5,000 sign-on bonuses
WLVR/Lehigh Valley News: State funding to help recruit 15 police officers in Bethlehem, 40 in Allentown
Easton Express-Times/Lehigh Valley Live: Lieutenant governor visits Bethlehem, bearing bonuses for Lehigh Valley police recruits
WFMZ: 2 Lehigh Valley cities to get financial help with recruiting police officers
Millcreek Township, Erie County – Law Enforcement Recruitment Grant
WICU/WSEE: Pa. Commission on Crime & Delinquency Awards $10,000 to Millcreek
WJET: New funding set to incentivize recruitment for the Millcreek Police Department
Slippery Rock University – Law Enforcement Recruitment Grant
Butler Radio: SRU Receiving Grant For Police Training
Butler Eagle: SRU receives grant to help staff campus police force
Allentown nonprofits – Nonprofit Security Grants
Easton Express-Times/Lehigh Valley Live: Pa. names 9 Allentown nonprofits in $19M hate crime prevention, security grant program
Beaver County nonprofits – Nonprofit Security Grants
Beaver County Times: Beaver County nonprofits to improve security with new state grants
Islamic Center of Delaware County, Temple Sholom in Broomall – Nonprofit Security Grants
Delco Times: State funds go to assist Delaware County faith communities for security, as one constantly on guard
Montgomery County religious organizations and schools – Nonprofit Security Grants
Ardmore Patch: 4 Lower Merion Jewish Institutions Get Safety Grant Funding
Glenside Local: Jenkintown Ukrainian church, Abington synagogue receive security grants to thwart attacks
Pittsburgh Jewish organizations, Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh and Center of Life – Nonprofit Security Grants
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle: Federation helps local organizations procure more than $900,000 in security grants
Saint Paul's United Church of Christ (Lewisburg, Union County) – Nonprofit Security Grant
Sunbury Daily Item: Lewisburg church granted $18,000 from state commission
Shenango Valley Catholic School System (Mercer County) – Nonprofit Security Grant
WFMJ: Shenango Valley Catholic schools receive close to $100K in hate crime security grants
Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church (Solebury Township, Bucks County) – Nonprofit Security Grant
Bucks County Herald: State grants Thompson Memorial $45,617 for security improvements
Washington County Gay-Straight Alliance – Nonprofit Security Grant
Washington Observer-Reporter: Washington County GSA receives grant
Wyoming Valley Yeshiva (Luzerne County) – Nonprofit Security Grant
Wilkes Barre Citizens Voice: Local Jewish group gets security grant funding
MEDIA CONTACT: Ali Gantz - algantz@pa.gov
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