Sen. Steve Santarsiero was recently joined by state and local officials, prosecutors and gun violence prevention advocates in Doylestown to announce $50 million in state grant funds for a new program to help law enforcement and district attorneys investigate and prosecute gun crimes.
The Gun Violence Investigation and Prosecution Grant Program was funded in this year’s budget using American Rescue Plan funds and will be administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
“Keeping our communities safe, in Bucks County and across the commonwealth, requires supporting our local law enforcement and prosecutors with the resources to do their jobs,” said Santarsiero. “As we continue to fight the gun violence epidemic, we must focus on prosecuting gun crimes, investigating and preventing straw purchases and implementing reasonable gun safety measures to protect children, families and our law enforcement community.”
Grants will be awarded to district attorneys and law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute violations of the firearms act and crimes of violence. Grant funds may be used to:
– Improve and enhance coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies
– Support personnel costs
– Purchase technology systems, initiatives that support the tracing of firearms used to commit crimes
– Any other efforts that aid in the investigation, arrest and prosecution of crimes
