Committee accepts $10,000 COPS anti‑heroin task force grant to fund overtime in narcotics work

The Finance Committee on Sept. 8 approved acceptance of a $10,000 FY23 COPS Office Anti‑Heroin Task Force Program grant and authorized accounting to administer the funds, Holyoke Police Department officials said.

Chief Brian Keenan described the award as “a no‑brainer,” explaining that the grant from the state police is intended to pay overtime associated with opioid‑specific investigations and task force work. Keenan said the city has previously used similar funds to bring state police task force officers into Holyoke and to augment local narcotics officers without imposing a local cash match.

Councilor Greenie asked whether the money would be used for personnel only or whether equipment such as naloxone could be purchased; Keenan said the funds are for personnel costs only. The committee voted to accept the grant and establish fund accounting; the item was forwarded for a full council vote.