House approves Mrvan's $4.5M request for Northwest Indiana police technology projects

Federal spending legislation overwhelmingly approved by the U.S. House on Thursday includes more than $4.5 million to help police departments in Lake, Porter and northwest LaPorte counties upgrade their radios or make other needed technology improvements.

The federal funds, which must still be authorized by the Senate and the president, are the full amount requested by U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, through the Community Project Funding program, more commonly known as earmarks.

"I am grateful for the selfless service and sacrifice that first responders, including our local police, fire departments and emergency personnel provide to our communities every day," Mrvan said.

"These requested funds will ensure that our officers and public safety personnel have the resources they need to carry out their responsibilities safely and effectively, while ensuring that families in Northwest Indiana can live, work, play and raise their children without fear."

The Northwest Indiana police projects for which Mrvan has won House approval are:

• Radio enhancement or replacement: $1 million for Crown Point Police; $670,000 for Schererville Police; $520,000 for East Chicago Police; $400,000 for Griffith Police; $398,000 for Valparaiso Police; $306,000 for Dyer Police; and $244,000 for Lowell Police.
   
• Body-worn cameras: $488,000 for Hobart Police and $70,000 for Winfield Police.
   
• Equipment and technology upgrades: $400,000 for LaPorte Police.
   
• Virtual reality training systems: $85,000 for Chesterton Police.

Altogether, Mrvan has obtained or requested earmarks totaling more than $8 million for Northwest Indiana police departments since he began representing Indiana's 1st Congressional District in 2021, records show.