West Chester, Pa (December 28, 2022) –  Three Chester County municipalities will receive more than $150,000 in total state funding to support local law enforcement and help prevent crime, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.

The grant funding, which comes through the Local Law Enforcement Support Program, was recently approved by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Funding for the program was allocated in this year’s state budget, which Comitta supported.

“The quality of life in our communities depends on a strong system of public safety. Investments in effective policing, an efficient criminal justice system, and important services to prevent crime, support survivors, and assist those with behavioral health needs are essential for residents, children, families, and businesses throughout Chester County,” said Comitta, who previously served as Mayor of the Borough of West Chester, overseeing the West Chester Police Department.

The grants are as follows:

  • Oxford Borough will receive $77,000 to integrate LiveScan booking capabilities into the department’s local operations and to support the cost for officers to participate in crisis intervention, mental health crisis response, active shooter, and other critical officer training.

Being in the southernmost portion of Chester County, Oxford police face greater challenges accessing critical support services – including having to travel greater distances for fingerprinting and to provide support services to residents facing mental health or other crises.

 

“Having Life Scan technical capabilities at our station will save time and resources for our department,” Oxford Borough Police Chief Samuel Iacono said. “It will also allow us to share important information with state, county, and regional agencies leading to better outcomes and a safer community.”

  • South Coatesville Borough will receive $30,000 for a new CODY record management system. The new system is more advanced and more efficient. It will allow the department to take advantage of the latest in technology to enhance records management capability while alleviating redundant tasks, like manual data entry.

The CODY system will streamline the department’s ability to generate the required monthly National Incident-Based Reporting System reports to the FBI. It also aligns with the Chester County Department of Emergency Services’ tentative decision to utilize the CODY system for dispatching and maintaining their reports and dispatch records. In addition, the CODY system interfaces with South Coatesville’s body camera system, as well as its automated citation system.

“The CODY system will truly enhance our ability to serve the public more efficiently and increase our visibility on the road by enabling our officers to spend more time patrolling and less time on station typing reports,” South Coatesville Borough Police Chief Kevin Pierce said.

  • West Goshen Township will receive $43,200 for an Automated License Plate Reader System.

In addition, the PCCD approved funding to support victims’ services through the Federal American Rescue Plan Act and the Federal Victims of Crime Act

  • The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County will receive $55,000 to provide services to survivors of domestic abuse.

“The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County is extremely grateful for the generous grant,” said CEO Dolly Wideman-Scott, Ed.D. “This will assist with sustaining the critical legal services for survivors and increase our outreach and strengthen our partnership with the District Attorney’s office. It takes a community response to address and end domestic violence.

  • The Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County (CVC) will receive $698,000 in annual recurring funds to support its operations.

“We are so grateful for this funding that we receive annually to support our work on behalf of victims and their families in Chester County,” said CEO Christine Zaccarelli, Esquire.  “Our victim advocates provide critical services including notifications to victims of their rights, accompaniment to legal proceedings, and support throughout the criminal justice system through our collaboration with the District Attorney’s Office, Chester County Adult Probation and Chester County Juvenile Probation. Our focus continues to be on providing counseling, advocacy, resources, and education to our community.”

And the Chester County Commissioners will receive $449,000 in state funding through the Gun Violence Investigation & Prosecution Program to support equipment for and the operations of the coroner’s office for two years. The commissioners will also receive $47,000 in state funds to support a Children’s Advocacy Center assistant.

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