Congressman Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) today announced that two local municipalities have received substantial grants from the federal Homeland Security Overtime Program (HSOP) that was established to help local governments pay some of the increased costs that have arisen due to increased concerns about the threat of terrorism.

    Lakewood Township in Ocean County will receive $81,635; and Wall Township in Monmouth County is slated to receive $50,000.  The State Department of Law and Public Safety will also receive close to $1.5 million for overtime costs.

    “The heightened sense of security post-September 11 has resulted in significant cost increases for local police departments who have been forced to hire more officers and extend the hours for existing officers,” Smith said.

    “The federal government has a responsibility to help our local communities pay this bill, and the HSOP grants will provide this crucial aid,” he added.

    “I’m very pleased Wall Township and Lakewood secured funding during this round of awards, and I remain committed to helping all of the municipalities in the Fourth District secure similar federal support.”

    The HSOP grants are administered by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office.  Earlier this month, Lakewood secured $375,000 in COPS money to hire five new police officers.  And overall, the township has received nearly $2 million in COPS dollars since the inception of the program in 1995.

    The money to Wall and Lakewood will cover 75 percent of the department’s overtime budget for one year with the local departments providing the remaining 25 percent.

    As dean of the state’s Congressional Delegation, Smith has worked with his colleagues this year to steer more than $100 million in homeland security dollars to New Jersey, local municipalities, state agencies, and companies that operate ports and transportation systems.