Press Releases

LOWELL, MA — Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced justice assistance grants totaling over $160,000 for local governments in the Third District, made possible by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The grants will enable these municipalities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs. 

“Throughout the Third District, our law enforcement officers and first responders go above and beyond the call of duty every day to keep our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The funding provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program will support their efforts by investing in programs that address unique issues in each city. As a strong supporter of this federal program, I’m proud to see these funds going to our communities, and I pledge to continue working with local leaders and police chiefs to advocate for additional opportunities like this.”

Grant recipients in the Third District include:

• City of Lawrence: $52,624
• City of Lowell: $35,439
• City of Haverhill: $35,083
• City of Fitchburg: $24,403
• City of Marlborough: $15,244 

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is the leading source of federal justice funding for state and local governments. The program provides the critical funding necessary to support a wide range of program areas including: law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, crime prevention and education, corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, technology improvement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and mental health programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.

“Lawrence is fortunate to have the continued advocacy of Congresswoman Trahan and our federal delegation,” said Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez. “Through their efforts to deliver federal funding through resources such as the Byrne Grant, Lawrence has been able to provide our law enforcement professionals with state-of-the-art tools like our citywide camera system which we would not otherwise be able to afford to acquire or to maintain. These tools have exponentially increased the Department’s ability to close cases, reduce crime and keep our city safe.”

“The Lowell Police Department is excited to receive funding from the FY 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program,” said Lowell Police Superintendent Raymond Kelly Richardson. “Without this funding, the department would not be able to support civilian positions that are essential to implementing problem-oriented and community policing strategies.”

Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini said Haverhill police plan to use the grant to purchase three All-Terrain Vehicles to help officers patrol the city’s expansive rural areas, including recreational parks, woodlands and walking trails.

“The Haverhill Police Department has relied on the JAG grant for many years to purchase additional equipment to fight crime and benefit the public,” Mayor Fiorentini said, noting the police department used a similar award last year to purchase a firearms training simulator. “We very much appreciate Congresswoman Trahan’s efforts to secure this funding. These ATVs will be a major asset for the police department and the Haverhill public and will help make the city safer.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased that Congresswoman Trahan was able to secure this important funding for the City of Fitchburg which will support our law enforcement and first responders,” said Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale.

“We’re happy to be a recipient of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and will use these funds again to continue the replacement and upgrades to our Automatic External Defibrillators (AED), which are carried in each cruiser for responding to medical calls for service. The machines are a vital tool which allow officers to immediately render assistance to individuals who have suffered a heart attack or are in some state of cardiac arrest,” said Mayor of Marlborough Arthur G. Vigeant.

Last year, Trahan supported passage of the CARES Act, which allocated $850 million in funding to the JAG Program for immediate relief to state and local governments providing emergency services on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. The funding was eligible to be used for overtime compensation, acquire personal protective equipment and additional supplies, and address the medical needs of the incarcerated. The CARES Act delivered support directly to Third District law enforcement agencies such as Haverhill Police Department, which received a $102,000 grant to bolster their COVID-19 response efforts.

The additional funding provided by JAG Program grants will enable these Third District communities to address their individual justice needs, ensuring that residents remain safe and protected.

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