WEST NEWBURY — The West Newbury Police Department recently received $30,876 in grant funds through the Edward J. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
The West Newbury Police Department will use the funding to replace laptop computers in its cruisers, according to police Chief Michael Dwyer.
“We are very grateful for this funding, and we continue to research and apply for funding opportunities that support our police offices and help offset costs to the taxpayers,” Dwyer said.
The grant funding, allocated by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR), was awarded to law enforcement agencies statewide to address public safety priorities.
Nearly $5 million in funds was awarded to 130 police departments across the state to address specific priority areas such as unlawful drug use, domestic violence, gun violence, missing person cases, and hate crimes. The grant also funded projects related to technology upgrades, investigative tools and protective gear, school safety and security, and efforts to advance racial equity and support underserved communities.
“This program invests federal funds to make Massachusetts communities safer and stronger,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “This program allows towns and cities to identify their most pressing needs and direct funding to address those challenges. The ability of local public safety leaders to guide funds toward priority safety initiatives encourages a holistic approach to improving safety in communities with diverse needs.”