Gottheimer announces $42 million in FEMA funding for New Jersey public safety, Andover train station
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District, and the White House on Friday announced more than $42 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for public safety initiatives across New Jersey, including investments in law enforcement, houses of worship and security upgrades at the Andover train station.
According to Gottheimer’s office, the funding comes in addition to $8.5 million previously secured for public safety during the FIFA World Cup, bringing the total federal funding obtained for New Jersey law enforcement since June to more than $50 million.
Of the newly announced funding, $21 million will be distributed statewide to support public safety initiatives, including the New Jersey State Police, World Cup-related security expenses, transit security and other emergency preparedness efforts.
The remaining $21 million will be directed to New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District, supporting public safety efforts in Bergen, Passaic and Sussex counties. The funding will assist local and county law enforcement, transit security projects and security enhancements at houses of worship and religious schools.
The grants also will help agencies purchase updated radios, drones, active shooter and mass-casualty response equipment, and provide funding for K-9 training.
In addition, funding will support security improvements at the Andover train station in Sussex County, including surveillance cameras, cybersecurity protections and physical security enhancements. Gottheimer’s office said the improvements are intended to support the long-awaited restoration of passenger rail service to Sussex County.
“Today, building on that, and working with the White House, I am proud to announce that we have clawed back more than $42 million in FEMA grant funding from Washington, DC to New Jersey for public safety right here in Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District. Every single day, rain or shine, late nights, early mornings, weekends, holidays, kids’ birthdays and other family occasions, you put on the uniform, and you respond without hesitation. You get our backs. And I want you to know, as ever, that I’ll always get yours,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “The men and women who wear the badge go above and beyond to protect us, and they’ve earned every bit of support we can give them — for the big events and the everyday calls alike. That’s what this funding is about. I went to bat in Washington, and after months of negotiations and relentless advocacy, I clawed back more than $42 million home to Jersey and put it exactly where it belongs: in the hands of the brave men and women keeping our communities safe.”
“Keeping New Jersey families safe starts with making sure our first responders have the resources they need to do their jobs. Our congressional delegation is essential in delivering federal dollars that help strengthen public safety in communities across our state, and I want to thank Congressman Gottheimer for helping secure this funding for New Jersey. For too long, New Jerseyans have sent far more to Washington than we receive in return. This investment is a step toward ensuring our taxpayers see more of their hard-earned dollars come back home to support our first responders,” said Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
The funding will be distributed through the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness using several FEMA grant programs, including the State Homeland Security Program, Urban Area Security Initiative, Emergency Management Performance Grant, Transit Security Grant Program and Nonprofit Security Grant Program. According to Gottheimer’s office, the grants are intended to support disaster preparedness, law enforcement and security operations throughout the state.
