Press Releases
GOV. MALLOY AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ANNOUNCE FEDERAL GRANT TO ASSIST EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS FROM SANDY HOOK TRAGEDY
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, and Congressman Jim Himes today announced that the State of Connecticut has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to reimburse local and state governments for costs related to the emergency response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHES) shooting, as well as for costs to restore public safety in the aftermath of the tragedy.
"Our first responders, including state and local law enforcement, so bravely responded to this horrific event - not only those from the Town of Newtown, but also from the surrounding communities, for which we are forever grateful. This grant will provide some assistance to our state and our local law enforcement in covering some of the resulting financial costs," Governor Malloy said. "I want to thank the Department of Justice for approving our request and understanding our state's urgent needs in actively responding to this tragedy."
"These federal funds recognize and support the heroic efforts of Newtown, Monroe and state law enforcement, not just for their courageous and heartbreaking work that tragic day, but for their persistence and professionalism in the days, weeks and months after," Senator Blumenthal said. "While these federal funds will go a long way towards reimbursing state and local police for their service, much work remains to truly honor their bravery and keep faith with the victims and families of Sandy Hook."
"The men and women who rushed to respond to the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary deserve our unending gratitude, as well as financial support to recover some of the costs incurred by state and local law enforcement in the days and weeks that followed," Senator Murphy said. "I'm proud to stand with the Governor, my colleagues in our state's delegation, and the people of Connecticut to help the Newtown community recover and heal."
"Our communities are grateful for the brave first responders who put their lives on the line to save others," Congresswoman Esty said. "We are acutely aware that many continue to live with the trauma of what they experienced on that dark day in December and the days that followed. Our nation has been inspired by their courage. I thank the Department of Justice for providing this critical grant to support our communities and the courageous law enforcement officers who have given so much in the midst of unimaginable tragedy."
"As we continue to help the residents of Newtown and all those affected by the shooting last fall, we should take care to ensure this human tragedy doesn't become a financial crisis for the towns and first responders who cared for the students, their families, and our communities," Congressman Himes said. "This money is a demonstration of how we as a nation come together to help one another in times of need, and I applaud the Department of Justice for providing this assistance."
The funds will be divided as follows:
-
The Town of Monroe will receive $882,812 for police officers' time to secure and monitor SHES Chalk Hill during past school year (December 14, 2012 - June 2013) as well upcoming school year (August - December 2013), and surveillance equipment for the SHES Chalk Hill school.
-
The Town of Newtown will receive $602,293 for police officers' time during the past school year (December 14, 2012 - June 2013) to respond to the shooting, provide public protection services in the aftermath, and monitor schools.
-
The State of Connecticut will receive $663,444 for State Police troopers' overtime to assist Newtown Police with tactical response and law enforcement activities in the aftermath.
-
$296,836 will be used for local police officers' time to provide "mutual aid" during tactical response as well as during the aftermath through June 2013.
###
For Immediate Release: August 28, 2013
Twitter:
@GovMalloyOffice
Facebook:
Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy
- Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
- Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy