COPS grant will provide local police with security cameras, mobile data laptops for patrol cars & emergency 911 call boxes
CARTERET, NJ – Mayor Daniel J. Reiman today announced that U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th) has secured $1.2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services to significantly enhance Carteret’s public safety infrastructure.
The COPS Technology Grant will provide local police with thermal-heating drones, security cameras, laptops for patrol cars, emergency 911 call boxes to improve public safety and emergency response coordination, and pole-mounted license plate readers.
“I would like to extend a thank you to Congressman Pallone for his unwavering commitment and support to the residents of Carteret and to all of our emergency service departments and personnel,” Mayor Reiman said. “Carteret is a diverse urban community with nearly 26,000 residents and hosting major port infrastructure, the New Jersey Turnpike, rail, pipeline, manufacturing and critical energy infrastructure supplying the continental Northeast. With many redevelopment initiatives and vast improvements to nearly every sector of our local community and local economy, we have called upon Congressman Pallone’s assistance and support for a broad range of initiatives.
“Today’s funding announcement represents a pivotal investment in the safety and security of every person in our community,” the Mayor continued. “With these funds, we will be able to equip our police department with cutting-edge technology that will significantly enhance their ability to serve and protect. From advanced security systems to sophisticated license plate readers, and the integration of the newest policing technology, these tools will provide our officers with real-time intelligence that will allow them to respond faster, more efficiently, and more effectively. This investment is not only about strengthening law enforcement; it’s about promoting a vision for a safer, more connected community. These technologies will serve as a powerful deterrent to crime and will give our citizens greater peace of mind, knowing that we are equipped to handle the challenges of modern public safety.”
The proposed enhancements are designed to improve situational awareness, expedite emergency response and enhance the overall security measures implements by Carteret’s police and fire departments.
With Carteret’s proximity to the New Jersey Turnpike, industrial facilities, and vital coastal port infrastructure, these upgrades are not just beneficial but essential, Congressman Pallone said.
“The strategic placement of emergency call boxes and advanced technology will significantly improve the capabilities of our local law enforcement agencies,” the Congressman said. “By putting money into these upgrades, town officials can deliver faster responses and better teamwork during emergencies, all to keep our community safer and more secure.”
During the 2023 and 2024 appropriations process, Congress Pallone was instrumental in securing $1.6 million in funds that will be used to relocate and upgrade the Carteret Office of Emergency Management and Emergency Operations Command Center, Mayor Reiman said. The forthcoming state-of-the-art facility will combine multiple locations and take advantage of modernizing an underutilized existing borough building while improving the ability to respond to emergencies, the Mayor said.
In November, the Borough received a $625,000 competitive grant from the COPS Hiring Program to hire five new police officers.
“With the demands of law enforcement being greater than ever, these investments will make a clear statement: we are committed to empowering our officers with the tools and resources they need to succeed,” Mayor Reiman said. “By embracing innovation and technology, we are creating a safer, more secure environment for our families, our local businesses, visitors and the future of our community.”
Updates will be available at Carteret.net or by following @MyCarteret on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
