Rep. Courtney Welcomes Home Over $2.2 Million in Funding to Support Connecticut Law Enforcement and Community Oriented Policing

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) welcomed home more than $2.2 million in federal funding that will support anti-drug initiatives and community policing practices at police departments throughout Connecticut. Courtney announced that the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (CTDESPP) will receive a federal grant award totaling $2,297,039 through the Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) program, operated by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

"It's great to count this win for Connecticut police officers," said Congressman Courtney. "The pandemic has been tough on America's public service workers, perhaps none more so than our local police—they've got difficult and dangerous jobs as it is, but the pandemic really ratcheted up their caseload and has seen them taking on more and more issues stemming from the nationwide addiction crisis, and from unaddressed mental health issues. This federal funding is going to support drug interdiction throughout our state, stopping the spread of deadly hard drugs like heroin and fentanyl on our streets. For small towns in eastern Connecticut whose public safety budgets are limited, having robust support for a multi-town task force is the most effective way to arrest and prosecute drug dealers who are profiting from addiction.

The CTDESPP will receive a grant award totaling $2,297,039 through the COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force program. The funding will be targeted to police stations throughout the state, and may be used specifically for joint investigative purposes to locate or investigate illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, or the unlawful distribution of opioids.

Today's announcement is the second round of COPS grant funding Courtney has announced for Connecticut police stations in the past month. On October 14th, Rep. Courtney and Mayor Mike Passero of New London announced a COPS grant award of more than $70,000 for the New London Police Department. The funding was allocated to support de-escalation training and other community policing practices, and was announced on the heels of National Community Policing Week. Click here to read more.

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