Committee approves forwarding $963,000 DOJ JAG grant appropriation for police equipment to full council

The Allentown Public Safety Committee on Monday voted to forward a supplemental appropriation that would add $963,000 in federal funding from a U.S. Department of Justice Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to the city’s 2024 general fund budget for police equipment and vehicles.

Chief Greas summarized the award and how it was obtained, saying, “This grant is an appropriations grant.” He told the committee the city worked with Congresswoman Susan Wilde’s and Senator John Fetterman’s offices on the request and that the funding became available after federal budget approval.

The grant package, as described to the committee, covers crime‑scene photography and computer technology, equipment for documenting serious accidents and crashes, training and first‑aid gear, one motorcycle to replace the department’s oldest active motorcycle (a 2007 model), six patrol vehicles and tactical equipment, and an additional solar speed‑radar sign and trailer the department uses in neighborhood requests. Chief Greas told the committee the award is “expense driven,” meaning the city must buy items first and then submit for federal reimbursement, and that “there’s no match to it.”

Councilmembers asked whether a recently purchased crime‑scene unit had been paid from the same award; staff clarified that the vehicle currently in the garage was purchased through the city’s prior budget and not this grant, but that the JAG request does include a pickup for accident‑reconstruction equipment.

Committee Vice President Mota moved to forward the appropriation to the full council; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Zukle and carried in committee for consideration by the full council. No roll‑call vote or tally was recorded in the committee transcript.

If council approves the appropriation and the procurement is completed, the city will proceed on an expense‑reimbursement basis under the terms described to the committee. Funding and project oversight will follow the usual city procurement and grant‑reimbursement processes.

The committee said staff and Police Department representatives will supply full budget account numbers and procurement details as the ordinance moves to council.