(TNS) — Thanks to nearly $1 million in federal funding, Allentown Police will soon be upgrading their patrol cars, photographic equipment and software to document crime scenes and test for illegal drugs.
Chief Charles Roca said the investment will help the police department move one step closer to becoming a “21st century” department.
At a press conference Tuesday morning, Sen. Bob Casey and Rep. Susan Wild, who are up for re-election in November, took credit for pushing for the funding in the fiscal year 2024 government budget bill.
“I don't think I need to explain to many people how important it is to invest in law enforcement,” Casey said.
Roca said the new technology will help police test and process illegal drugs, photograph crime scenes and enhance police vehicles to police traffic and neighborhood crime.
“I want these officers to be the best-equipped, best-trained and most motivated officers in the Lehigh Valley,” Roca said.
Roca could not say exactly how many patrol boats and other equipment would be purchased or when, because he was still preparing an “itemized list” of everything that would be covered by the grant.
This isn't the only financial support the Police Department has received recently to purchase advanced technology: In January, the city announced a $4.1 million purchase of gunshot detection technology paid for with a state grant, and the City Council recently approved a nearly $1 million contract to install a citywide video surveillance system, also paid for with state funds.
These upgrades are helping the city achieve its goal of modernizing its response to crime. Other efforts are still in the works, such as the launch of an online “crime dashboard” where residents can see neighborhood-level data on crime in their area.
The city also announced plans in February to renovate and build a major expansion at its police headquarters at 400 Hamilton Street, modernizing the facility and allowing all officers to work there, although some patrol officers will work out of a facility a few blocks away.
The city has not yet secured funding to cover the estimated $28 million cost of building a new police headquarters, and Mayor Matt Tuerk has previously said a tax increase may be needed in 2025 to cover the cost and other much-needed infrastructure upgrades. The mayor requested a 2% tax increase in the 2024 budget, but the City Council rejected it in a 4-3 vote.
Both Casey and Wilde said they support further federal investment in the Allentown Police Department.
“We receive hundreds of federal grant applications at any one time, and we typically look at them from the perspective of what will be most beneficial for our community and how that aligns with the top priority of most residents,” Wilde said. “Public safety is always at the top of the list.”
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