U.S. Attorney Brady Announces $676K Grant to Address COVID-19 Pandemic in the City of Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH - U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady today announced that the Department of Justice has awarded the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, $676,895 in DOJ grants to purchase supplies that are essential for responding to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.

The grant awarded to Pittsburgh is available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump. In addition, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has been awarded $17.6 million in grants that can be distributed to eligible governmental agencies throughout Pennsylvania, including western Pennsylvania. The Justice Department is moving quickly, awarding grants on a rolling basis and aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after receiving applications, which are not due until May 29, 2020.

From the moment these grants became available, U.S. Attorney Brady has dedicated staff to ensure that all eligible agencies in western Pennsylvania have the opportunity to apply and receive funds promptly. Since then, the Office has worked with eligible applicants to assist them in the grant process.

"The men and women on the front line of this pandemic deserve our deepest appreciation for answering the call to serve regardless of the danger," U.S. Attorney Brady said. "The public safety funds being made available through DOJ’s Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program can be used for the most pressing needs of our state and local partners, including new hiring and overtime pay, training, critical personal protective equipment and supplies, and the medical needs of prisoners."

"We'd like to thank the Department of Justice/Bureau of Justice Assistance for recognizing the hard work of our public safety personnel and Highly Infectious Disease Transport Team (ECHO) in EMS by awarding us this grant to cover the costs of extra measures taken to keep them safe during this pandemic," said Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto. "Their safety and the safety of our neighbors continue to be our top priority."

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. Local units of government and tribes will receive direct awards separately according to their jurisdictions’ allocations.

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.