HARTFORD, CT. (OCTOBER 14, 2016) – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, Congressman John Larson, and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin announced that $4.75 million in federal public safety grants are being awarded to the City of Hartford, helping the state’s capital city make its streets safer for kids and families.

“These major federal grants — including the largest COPS award nationwide — will bring more officers and resources to Hartford neighborhoods, like North Hartford’s Promise Zone, enabling the kind of community-oriented policing we know can drive down crime and improve trust between police and the communities they serve and protect," said U.S. Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and Congressman Larson in a joint statement. "At a time when communities are struggling more than ever to balance budget constraints with the need for critical local services, we will keep working to bring federal dollars back to Connecticut. Congratulations to the Hartford Police Department and the City of Hartford. We look forward to seeing these new officers out in the community soon.”

“Now more than ever, we’re focused on making our city safer while at the same time engaging the Hartford community in a true public safety partnership,” said Mayor Bronin. “At a time when Hartford is battling a fiscal crisis, these Department of Justice grants – which are extremely competitive – will help us continue to invest in making our neighborhoods safer and stronger. Our team worked hard to develop winning grant proposals, and I’m grateful to Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, Congressman Larson, and President Obama’s Administration for their tremendous partnership. No other city in the country received all of these grants.”

One of the three grants received by the City – the U.S. Department of Justice Byrne Criminal Justice Innovations Program Grant – is for $1,000,000 to support a public safety initiative in the North Hartford Promise Zone (NHPZ). The funds will go towards the NHPZ Community Safety Project, which is a three-year initiative led by the Hartford Police Department to reduce gang-related and violent criminal activity in the Upper Albany, Clay Arsenal, and Northeast neighborhoods.

A second grant received by the City – the U.S. Department of Justice Technical Innovations for Public Safety (TIPS) Grant – is for $245,681. The funds will go towards enhancing the capabilities of Hartford’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) through the purchase of technology, helping it become a regional hub that offers critical insights into public safety data.

The third grant received by the City – the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office Award – is for $1.5M per year for three years to support the hiring of 15 new police officers. The Hartford Police Department’s primary financial obligations for these fifteen officers during the three-year period are equipment, uniforms, and costs related to the recruiting process. In accepting the grant, the Hartford Police Department agrees to maintain those fifteen officers for one additional year following the three-year period. The grant will support the hiring of new officers in FY2018.

“I am extremely grateful to our federal delegation who continues to work hard on our behalf in Washington,” said Council President Clarke who serves as co-chair of the City’s Public Safety Committee. “I would also like to thank Mayor Bronin and Chief Rovella for their leadership as well. These funds will help the City of Hartford to hire more police officers, enhance community policing, and increase the quality of life in our city. These funds come to us at a time where it’s much needed for our great city.”

“I am extremely happy that we are receiving funds to improve the quality of life in our city,” said City Councilman James Sanchez who also serves as co-chair of the City’s Public Safety Committee. “I’m looking forward to the positive changes ahead.”