WILDWOOD – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressmen Frank LoBiondo (N.J.-02) and Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), announced $2,937,015 in federal funding to hire 21 new police officers to patrol the streets of Camden County and Wildwood. The grant award, through the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), is part of a combined $107 million nationwide in COPS Hiring Program (CHP) awards being announced by DOJ.
“Today is the continuation of a promise both to law enforcement and the community. This is a promise that began on 9-11 and continues as long as we’re representing New Jersey,” said Sen. Menendez. “It’s important to make sure communities in Camden County and Wildwood have the manpower to fight violent crime and keep their streets and residents safe.”
“These funds will ensure that the police departments in Wildwood and Camden County have the essential staff they need to best serve our communities,” said Sen. Booker. “I am proud that these grants will enable more brave men and women to work to make our state safer. We will continue to fight to bring these critical funds back to our state.”
“Keeping our communities safe is a never-ending mission of the men and women who wear the uniform. Today’s federal funding will ensure additional qualified law enforcement officers are hired to ensure the safety and security of Wildwood and its residents. I’m proud to support the COPS program which provides critical resources to our local law enforcement departments,” said Rep. LoBiondo.
“Camden has made remarkable strides reducing violent crime. This funding and the 15 new officers that it will bring to the force will make the city that much safer and improve quality of life for all our neighbors,” said Rep. Norcross.
The following grants were announced:
- Camden County Police Dept. $2,187,015 15 officers
- Wildwood Police Dept. $750,000 6 officers
CHP addresses the full-time sworn officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies while advancing public safety through community policing. Jurisdictions applying for the grants were asked to identify how the CHP grants would help enhance community policing in a specific focus area; CHP provided additional consideration to jurisdictions that identified “Homicide/Gun Violence,” “Homeland Security Problems” or “Building Trust” as their focus area.
This year’s CHP grants provide 75 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years (36 months) 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. Any additional costs above the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits, up to $125,000, are the responsibility of the grantee agency.
