La Porte receives $500K federal COPS grant

La Porte will be able to grow its police department thanks to a federal grant.

U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-1st., recently announced federal grant awards in Northwest Indiana, including for the City of La Porte and River Forest Community School Corp., under the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office.

“Congratulations to all of the leaders with the City of La Porte and River Forest Community School Corp. on securing these vital federal funds,” said Mrvan.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for the value of these programs to ensure that law enforcement agencies and schools throughout Northwest Indiana have the resources they need to keep our communities safe,” he added.

According to the Department of Justice, the City of La Porte will receive $500,000 from the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to hire four additional law enforcement officers in an effort to increase community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.

“The City of La Porte is pleased to receive this COPS Grant Award. Public Safety is our number one obligation to our citizens,” said La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.

“I want to express my appreciation for our Police Chief Matt Drangmeister for his leadership on this, thinking outside the box to meet the needs of the Department. In addition, I want to thank Congressman Mrvan for his continued support of our community,” he added.

Additionally, River Forest Community School Corporation in New Chicago will receive $343,068 under the COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) to improve security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based school safety programs and technology.