Hudson Valley Press: Newburgh to get more police officers

July 28th, 2009
Newburgh and Poughkeepsie Receive Money for Police


Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced more than $2.2 million in federal economy recovery funds for three local law enforcement forces to add or retain 10 police officer positions throughout the next three years. Monticello has been awarded $253,313 for one officer position, Newburgh has received $843,543 for four officer positions, and Poughkeepsie will receive $1,050,400 to pay for five officer positions. The funds come through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Hinchey actively supported and voted for earlier this year.

"At a time when local municipalities are facing difficult financial circumstances, this federal economic recovery funding will help keep police officers on the beat and ensure the public remains adequately protected," Hinchey said. "Public safety must never be compromised and these federal funds will ensure that these three municipalities have the resources needed to staff their police forces. I'm very pleased that the economic recovery funds we approved earlier this year in Washington are making their way back up to New York in an effective manner."

The funding is being allocated to the municipalities to hire and/or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort and to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. The grants will provide 100 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years for newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions (including filling existing unfunded vacancies) or for rehired officers who have been laid off, or are scheduled to be laid off on a future date, as a result of local budget cuts. Communities receiving the grants are required to maintain adequate funding levels for a fourth year.

The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is administering the funding through its COPS Hiring Recovery Program. COPS grants are used to address retention of police officers to fight crime and provide more effective policing.