$500,000 to help Norwich expand community policing

September 27, 2013 3:00 pm • Last Updated: September 27, 2013 11:34 pm

By Greg Smith
Day Staff Writer

Norwich — For the second year in a row, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has awarded the Norwich Police Department a $500,000 grant to hire four police officers and bolster its community policing program.

Norwich was one of four cities awarded money under the program. Bridgeport, Farmington and Hartford also will receive money this year.

Norwich Police Chief Louis J. Fusaro said he was thrilled with Friday's news. The department was awarded a similar $500,000 grant last year — specifically aimed at hiring veterans — and since has implemented a community policing program with three pairs of officers dedicated to targeted areas of the city.

"It's really a reflection of the good work our officers are out doing every day," Fusaro said. "In my mind, it's an acknowledgement from the federal government that what we're doing in community policing is working. We want to keep that momentum."

The department's community policing unit patrols Greeneville, Taftville and downtown areas but is limited to 40 hours because of budgetary constraints. Fusaro said, with the new hires, the department will increase the number of hours on patrol with a particular focus on gun violence.

"The way to drive down violent crime is to be in the neighborhoods — to have a visible presence," Fusaro said. "This fits right into our strategic staffing plan."

Overall, the COPS competitive grant program funded 263 cities and counties, aiming to create 937 law enforcement positions. More than $125 million will be awarded nationally, including nearly $45 million to fund 356 new school resource officer positions.

The COPS program offers grants to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund community policing positions. The program provides the salary and benefits for officer and deputy hires for three years.

Grantees for the 2013 hiring program were selected based on fiscal needs, local crime rates, and community policing plans. There was an additional focus this year on agencies requesting assistance in developing school safety programs that would include the hiring of school resource officers, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

g.smith@theday.com