Despite Republicans controlling the White House and Congress, Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) announced more than $42 million in federal funding today for law enforcement and security projects in the three counties included in New Jersey’s 5th congressional district.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency funding will support local and county law enforcement agencies in Bergen, Passaic and Sussex counties, along with the New Jersey State Police and the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
Gottheimer said he negotiated the agreement with the White House after months of advocacy. The new allocation comes on top of $8.5 million previously awarded to help New Jersey prepare for the World Cup, bringing the total secured for state law enforcement since June to more than $50 million.
“I went to bat in Washington, and after months of negotiations and relentless advocacy, I worked out an agreement with the White House to bring more than $42 million home to Jersey and put it exactly where it belongs: in the hands of the brave men and women keeping our communities safe,” Gottheimer said.
The money can be used to purchase upgraded radios, drones, active-shooter and mass-casualty response equipment, and to fund K-9 training. Municipalities may also build or improve emergency operations centers.
Other funds will support training and intelligence-sharing at fusion centers, where local, state and federal agencies coordinate responses to potential threats.
Religious institutions and other nonprofit organizations will be eligible for security improvements, including cameras, reinforced doors, lighting and alarm systems. Transportation security funding will pay for additional cameras, cybersecurity protections and physical improvements at the Andover train station and its tunnels in Sussex County.
The money will reach New Jersey through several federal programs, including the State Homeland Security Program, Urban Area Security Initiative, Emergency Management Performance Grant, Transit Security Grant Program and Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
Gottheimer faces Republican newcomer Sean Kirrane in his bid for a sixth term this fall.
Yesterday, Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield), announced that 18 community project funding requests totaling nearly $17.8 million were included in House appropriations bills for the next fiscal year. The projects cover all six counties in the 7th district, where Kean faces Democrat Rebecca Bennett in one of the nation’s most closely watched House races.
The proposed funding includes $3 million for Passaic River flood mitigation, $2.25 million for a Branchburg emergency operations center and $975,000 for new Hillsborough police radios. Other requests would support police facilities and equipment, water and sewer improvements, road and pedestrian projects, and a new Warren County law enforcement and emergency services training center.
“I fought to bring this federal funding home to New Jersey because our communities deserve a strong return on the tax dollars they send to Washington,” said Kean. “These investments will improve roads and bridges, modernize water infrastructure, strengthen public safety, support our first responders, and help towns complete critical projects without placing the full burden on local property taxpayers.