Pennsylvania to Invest $2.6 Million in Federal Recovery Act Funds to Help Local Governments Improve Public Safety, Reduce Costs

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to help financially struggling municipalities and counties enhance public safety, Pennsylvania is investing $2.6 million in federal Recovery Act funding to bolster local law enforcement efforts and reduce probation costs.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is offering the grants on a competitive basis through two opportunities.

More than $1.8 million is available for local governments to purchase or augment law enforcement technologies and equipment or to support collaborative or regional policing efforts. Any local government units that did not qualify for direct federal awards through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 are eligible to apply.

Municipalities can use the funds to implement or upgrade law enforcement technologies or to purchase equipment needed to improve public safety. Eligible purchases can include computer software, speed enforcement equipment, portable radios, light bars for patrol cars and mobile computing devices.

Collaborative projects, such as gang violence reduction programs, specialized training, and community policing programs, are also eligible for funding.

Applications must be received through PCCD's Egrants system by March 31.

The second grant opportunity consists of more than $812,000 to help counties develop new daytime or evening reporting centers for juvenile offenders. County commissioners or chief juvenile probations officers may apply for the funding to support these centers, which provide an alternative to secure detention or out-of-home placement for young offenders.

Reporting centers are a local, cost-effective means of providing supervision and services to juvenile offenders. Centers operate during high-risk periods for minors to commit crimes, such as after school. The centers' programs promote accountability and enable young offenders to become responsible and productive members of the community.

Counties must apply for this funding through PCCD's Egrants system by April 1.

More information on either opportunity, including eligibility requirements, special conditions and how to apply, is available at www.pccd.state.pa.us by clicking "Grant Opportunities," and then "Funding."

As the state's lead agency for criminal justice policy issues, PCCD works to prevent and reduce crime and respond to the needs of victims. PCCD collaborates with state and local agencies and officials, victim service providers, juvenile and criminal justice agencies, community-based organizations and others to achieve those goals.

For more information on how federal Recovery Act funding is being invested to benefit Pennsylvanians, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.

Media contact: Tara Mead, 717-265-8470

SOURCE Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency