Crime & Safety

Department of Justice Gives Newtown Police $602K for Sandy Hook Response

The U.S. Department of Justice announced $2.5 million to Newtown and other police agencies across Connecticut for Sandy Hook Response.

Written by Ron DeRosa.

Newton Police are getting a bit of a financial reprieve from the federal government, along with several departments across western and central Connecticut that responded to the Dec. 14 shooting last year.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced Wednesday the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance will provide $2.5 million in funding to the Connecticut State Police, the Newtown Police Department and a number of partner agencies that assisted following the Dec. 14 shooting that killed 20 children and six educators.

The funding compensates the agencies and jurisdictions for costs related to overtime, forensics and security during and in the aftermath of the crime, the Justice Department said in a news release.

“Providing support to the law enforcement agencies that responded to the horrific scene that awaited them at Sandy Hook Elementary School is one small action we can take to bring healing to a community that’s been devastated,” Holder said in the news release.  “Just over eight months after this senseless tragedy, those who lost their lives, and those who continue to grieve, remain in our thoughts and prayers.”

Here's how the funding — being provided by the 2013 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program — breaks down:

Connecticut State Police: $663,444 
Town of Newtown: $602,293
Town of Monroe: $882,812
Partner Agencies*: $296,836

Here's the list of the partnering agencies: Avon, Bethel, Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Clinton, Coventry, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Groton, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, Newington, New Canaan, New Milford, Norwalk, Orange, Plainville, Redding, Ridgefield, Seymour, Shelton, Southington, Stratford, Trumball, Waterbury, Watertown, Wilton, Weston and Wolcott.

Acting U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daley said the funding will compensate the state police, Newtown police and thse other departments for their "tireless work investigating this crime."

"And, for months, helped to provide security and comfort to a courageous community,” Daley said.

For more information on the grant funding, click here: www.ojp.gov


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