NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AWARDED FEDERAL GRANTS TO BOLSTER CRIME PREVENTION

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced today that three federal grants have been awarded to New Hampshire law enforcement departments to support crime prevention programs and police operations. The grants are part of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program through the U.S. Department of Justice.

“New Hampshire depends on a well-equipped, well-trained law enforcement workforce to protect our families and communities," said Shaheen.  "This funding is an important part of ensuring that our officers have the tools and expertise they need to carry out this critical responsibility. These grants are an investment in the men and women who risk their lives day in and day out to keep the Granite State safe.”

The largest grant was awarded to the New Hampshire Department of Justice, which received $1.08 million to support drug interdiction efforts, investigate cyber-related abuses and complete the statewide criminal justice information system, known as J-ONE.

"The Byrne JAG program is vital to New Hampshire's ability to fight the illegal drug trade within the state,” said New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney. “These funds support a single statewide multijurisdictional drug task force designed to help local law enforcement address the types of drug crimes that severely impact the quality of life within the State of New Hampshire.  As illegal drug use is often tied to crimes ranging from property crime to assault to homicide, it is imperative that New Hampshire continues to support efforts to reduce the flow of illegal drugs within the state."

The police departments of Manchester, Nashua and Hillsborough County received a joint $211,014 grant to purchase radar detection equipment and provide officers with emergency first aid products and training.

“The Manchester Police Department depends on JAG to get equipment and training and to fund police operations that would not otherwise be available,” said Manchester Police Chief David Mara. “This grant award will ensure that all our officers have the same first aid training that a police officer relied upon to treat a colleague who recently suffered gunshot wounds.”

The final grant was awarded to the Concord Police Department and Merrimack County Sherriff for $27,000 to purchase tasers, patrol bicycles and forensic equipment.

“In these difficult economic times, it’s challenging for police departments to afford the tools we need to fight crime as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Concord Police Chief John Duval. “The JAG program provides assistance to help us purchase critical equipment that we otherwise would not be able to acquire.”

The JAG program provides states and local governments with important funding needed to support a range of law enforcement programs based on regional needs. JAG is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions in the United States.