Department Of Justice Makes $850 Million Available To Help Public Safety Agencies Address Covid-19 Pandemic

$743,821 Available to Middle District of Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG– The Department of Justice announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.

According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, over $740,000 is available to the Middle District of Pennsylvania with monies destined for Dauphin, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, and York Counties and the cities of Harrisburg, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport and York for preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus by helping with overtime, supplies and prisoner medical needs.

“When this grant was announced, I immediately shared the details with our trusted District Attorney partners in each of the named counties” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “Our philosophy, whether with law enforcement or community engagement resources, is to target areas in the district with the greatest needs.  These vital dollars will go directly to supporting the important work of public health and safety of entire communities, including people in prison or detention.” 

“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”

The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.

For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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