BY GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — The Lynn Police Department will receive $357,133 in state funding under the Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Grant (MUNI), to help maintain their public safety and emergency response services, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security announced.
“The members of the Lynn Police Department risk their lives every day in the line of duty to keep our community safe, Sen. Thomas M. McGee said in a statement. “I would like to thank my colleagues in the Legislature for their continued support of this grant program and I would like to thank the Lynn Police Department for their service. This grant program has been, and will continue to be, an annual budgetary priority of mine, so I am pleased to see that Lynn will be receiving this funding.”
Ten municipalities were eligible to apply for funding this year. All submitted applications on behalf of their police departments, while five also requested funding for their fire departments. The funds can 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, according to a release.
“The brave men and women of the Lynn Police Department deserve all the support we can give,” Rep. Brendan Crighton said in a statement. “Maintaining police staffing levels is crucial to their mission of keeping our streets safe and we are very thankful that the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has provided these additional funds to make that possible.”
“I am very glad the Lynn Police Department will receive this grant,” Rep. Lori Ehrlich said in a statement. “You cannot put a price on public safety, but this money will go a long way to ensuring that we have enough police to protect everyone in Lynn. I also want to thank the men and women on the Lynn Police force for their bravery and service.”
“For the safety of the public, it is essential to maintain a well-staffed police department,” Rep. Donald Wong said in a statement. “The men and women of the Lynn Police force are out there 24/7 protecting and serving our community.”
“These awards will maintain and in some cases restore staffing levels, ensuring strong public safety, which is crucial not only for our communities, but for the police and fire personnel who risk their lives for us every day,” Daniel Bennett, secretary of public safety and security, said in a statement.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected].
