Blumenthal, Murphy, Esty Announce $150,000 DOJ Grant Awarded To Newtown Police Department

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty (D-CT-05) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded the Newtown Police Department a $150,000 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), which will allow the department to hire two school safety officers.

“This grant will support the brave and able Newtown police, and provide greater safety and peace of mind to the courageous community they serve,” Blumenthal said. “A little more than nine months ago, I watched the Newtown police respond with immense bravery and strength in the face of unspeakable tragedy, and today and every day they continue to provide exceptional law enforcement for the resilient residents of Newtown. I congratulate the Newtown Police Department on receiving this grant; I can’t think of a police department that is more deserving.” 

“The Newtown community has endured the unimaginable, and these funds will help aid their recovery,” Murphy said. “I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in unwavering support of Newtown as it heals.”  

“On December 14th and through the months that have followed, the men and women of the Newtown Police Department have shown incredible strength, courage, and resilience in the midst of unimaginable tragedy,” Esty said. “The commitment I witnessed that dark day and the commitment these police officers have shown to their community, under the most difficult of circumstances, is nothing short of inspiring. I congratulate the Newtown Police Department for receiving this incredibly well-deserved grant that will support their critical work enhancing school safety for a community so deeply affected by tragedy.”

The JAG Program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, and crime victim and witness initiatives. More information about this grant program can be found here.