Congressman Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) announced today that Lakewood Township, the third largest municipality in the Fourth District, has secured a $375,000 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant from the federal government.

    “This federal money will allow the township to hire five new police officers who will help ensure the community remains safe and secure,” Smith said.

    The three-year grant covers up to 75 percent of each new officer’s salary while the township will match the remaining portion.  The township is also required to retain each of the new officers for at least one year after the grant expires.

    “The constant threat of terrorism places additional stress on our local police departments. In addition to keeping residents safe from criminal activity, they must also train and prepare to respond to possible terror attacks.

    “COPS grants provide critical financial support to help local police departments hire additional officers so they can focus adequate resources on counter-terror initiatives and day-to-day policing,” Smith said.

    “Since the COPS program was launched in 1995, Lakewood has received $1,867,649 through this program.  That money has enabled the township to hire more than 32 officers and upgrade the department’s technology,” Smith added.  “Clearly this is a solid win-win federal-local partnership.”

    In Fiscal Year 2003, Smith and his colleagues have helped steer about $100 million in federal aid to New Jersey for homeland security initiatives. Funds allocated to New Jersey this year have gone to support emergency responders; improve security on railroads, bus routes, and ports; and develop a radiological detection system.

    Earlier this week, federal money was delivered to help first responders in Ocean and Burlington County; and the Trenton Fire Department received additional support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).