The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), chaired by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, announced today that the Temple University Police Department will receive almost $1.8 million for safety enhancements focused on crime-fighting technology.  

The state funding comes under the Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program within PCCD. The program was established in 2022 to administer federal American Rescue Plan Act funding as grants to local law enforcement agencies. It gives priority consideration to items and activities that have a positive impact on reducing violent crime or improving clearance rates.  

“This grant will enable the Temple Police Department to add innovation and crime-fighting technology to our already robust public safety program,” President Jason Wingard said. “The swift action from Governor Shapiro, Lt. Gov. Davis and the PCCD board is impactful, timely and catalyzing as Temple focuses on stronger, more advanced initiatives.”  

In a PCCD statement, Davis said that every Pennsylvanian deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood. State Senator Vincent J. Hughes, who serves on the PCCD board and advocated for the funding, referenced the Feb. 18 slaying of Temple Police Sgt. Christopher David Fitzgerald in a news release.  

“How can we honor the life of a such a positive role model and take steps to prevent this kind of tragedy from ever happening again? We can put the guns down, we can invest in our communities and our young people, and we can make sure more resources, like this grant, make their way to the Temple University Police Department so that its officers are equipped with what they need to stay safe while protecting and serving the Temple community,” Hughes said in the release.  

Temple will use the funds for technology enhancements, including gunshot detection devices, license plate readers, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and upgrades to the Police Department’s Record Management System/National Incident-based Record System (NIBRS). In addition, the grant covers police officer-related initiatives. They include retention and recruitment bonuses, crisis intervention and de-escalation training, and rape aggression defense instruction training. 

“We are immensely grateful for the support of Governor Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Davis, and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency,” said Jennifer Griffin, vice president for public safety. “Not only will it greatly enhance the technological infrastructure within the department, but it also will be key in helping us recruit and retain police officers to further grow the department’s workforce.” 

- Wendy Ramunno