HAVERHILL, MA – Representative Andy X. Vargas today announced that the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety and Security has granted the Haverhill Police Department $205,000 for a municipal public safety staffing grant at the request of Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett. This grant may be used to restore, retain or hire police and fire personnel or for overtime if needed to provide adequate shift coverage to maintain appropriate staffing levels.
“Supporting our staffing levels at the Haverhill Police Department means a better protected city and a higher quality of life for our officers and residents,” said Representative Vargas in a statement. “This grant supports our efforts to ensure Haverhill is a safe place for our children and families. I thank the Baker Administration for recognizing the importance of public safety to the people of Haverhill.”
“Our administration values the work that our public safety partners perform each day in cities and towns across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through these funds, we are pleased to support the essential role that local law enforcement plays in making Massachusetts a safer state for all.”
“Support through the MUNI program allows our partners in local law enforcement to effectively carry out the vital roles they take on every day,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are proud to award this year’s grants to help cities and towns in Massachusetts better serve their residents by maintaining their public safety staffing needs,”
“The job of providing for the public’s safety is hard enough and these grants are intended to make it easier for communities to carry out those responsibilities by removing some of the uncertainties that arise from the budgeting process,” said Secretary Bennett.
14 police and fire departments have received state grants to assist municipalities in maintaining public safety and emergency response core services. The grant follows one of Rep. Vargas’ priorities to advocate for adequate public safety staffing in Haverhill.
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