Fall River, Brockton, among 10 communities to receive grant money to support police and fire departments

BROCKTON – Tuesday, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the release of $4.56M in Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Grant funding to help communities maintain local public safety and emergency response services. Sixteen municipal police and fire departments received funding to support personnel needs, including recruitment, retention, and shift coverage. Since 2015, the Administration has provided nearly $32M in MUNI grants to local police and fire departments. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research administers this grant program.

“The Municipal Public Safety Grant Program empowers local leaders by providing additional resources to help meet public safety needs in their communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We appreciate our strong collaboration with municipalities across the Commonwealth and are grateful for the protection and life-saving work performed by our first responders.”

“We are proud to partner with municipalities to ensure their ability to maintain essential emergency services that keep our communities and residents safe,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “MUNI grants demonstrate our commitment to a collaborative approach and help to advance our shared mission of delivering the public safety services that our communities expect and deserve.”

“We have a fundamental responsibility to keep Massachusetts residents safe. MUNI grant funds help ensure that police and fire departments can meet the growing demands of public safety and emergency response,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy.

“I am extremely grateful to Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary Terrence Reidy, and OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton for coming together to provide this generous grant opportunity to Brockton,” said Mayor Robert Sullivan, City of Brockton. “It is paramount that the public safety and emergency response teams within the City have the adequate resources to maintain staffing levels and to continue to operate at a high professional level, providing safety and security to residents and business owners.”

“This grant is instrumental in assisting us with the staffing of our apparatus throughout the City at different times of the year,” stated Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli. “We have received this grant over a number of years, and we have been able to use it to keep staffing levels where we need them to keep the residents safe.”

“We appreciate the Governor, Mayor Robert Sullivan, and our Grant Coordinator for securing $275K,” said Brockton Acting Police Chief Steve Williamson. “The funds help maintain staffing levels so our men and women can continue to protect and serve the citizens of our city.”

As directed by the language in the Fiscal Year 2021 General Appropriations Act, ten eligible municipalities facing police and/or fire department staffing shortfalls submitted applications for support. Funds may be utilized to restore, retain, or hire police and fire personnel or for overtime, if needed to provide adequate shift coverage and maintain appropriate staffing levels.

Below is the list of 2022 Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Grant (MUNI) recipients and their award amounts:

MUNI Communities

Brockton
$ 525,000.00 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 275,000.00 Award Amount/Police 2022
$ 250,000.00 Award Amount/Fire 2022

Fall River
$ 1,268,735.67 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 509,300.00 Award Amount/Police 2022
$ 759,435.67 Award Amount/Fire 2022

Framingham
$ 113,574.01 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 49,590.01 Award Amount/Police 2022
$ 63,984.00 Award Amount/Fire 2022

Haverhill
$ 255,200.00 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 255,200.00 Award Amount/Police 2022
did not apply Award Amount/Fire 2022

Lawrence
$ 994,999.66 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 994,999.66 Award Amount/Police 2022
did not apply Award Amount/Fire 2022

Lowell
$ 262,500.00 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 162,500.00 Award Amount/Police 2022
$ 100,000.00 Award Amount/Fire 2022

Lynn
$ 493,448.78 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 493,448.78 Award Amount/Police 2022
did not apply Award Amount/Fire 2022

Newton
$ 88,525.88 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 88,525.88 Award Amount/Police 2022
did not apply Award Amount/Fire 2022

Malden
$ 400,000.00 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 200,000.00 Award Amount/Police 2022
$ 200,000.00 Award Amount/Fire 2022

Somerville
$ 158,016.00 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 74,400.00 Award Amount/Police 2022
$ 83,616.00 Award Amount/Fire 2022

Total
$ 4,560,000.00 Total Recommended Award 2022
$ 3,102,964.33 Award Amount/Police 2022
$ 1,457,035.67 Award Amount/Fire 2022