North Tonawanda: Ortt announces $99,995 U.S. Department of Homeland Security award

City of North Tonawanda Mayor Robert G. Ortt has announced the city, in partnership with the City of Tonawanda, has been awarded $99,995 in federal funding under the FY2013 Tactical Team Grant Program. Funding for this initiative is provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's State Homeland Security Grant Program.

"This funding is being provided to improve and develop tactical team capabilities through equipment, training, exercise and planning projects that support counter terrorism missions in both cities," said state commissioner Jerome M. Hauer.

Ortt stated, "This funding will help to further enhance the capabilities of our tactical team, which is made up of members from both North Tonawanda and Tonawanda police departments. The capabilities of this team to protect the Twin Cities will continue to be a source of pride for both communities."

"Lt. Lee C. Bolsover and police officer Nicholas J. Iwanicki, members of the SWAT team, applied for the grant it an effort to obtain equipment for the team that we may have not been able to afford through the budget process," said North Tonawanda Police Chief Bill Hall. "One of the biggest blocks of the grant is for upgrading the tactical vests worn by the team members."

City of Tonawanda Police Chief Bill Strassburg added, "This grant allows the T-NT SWAT team to purchase equipment that, without this grant, would not be possible. This grant allows the SWAT team to purchase state-of-the-art equipment to help ensure both the safety of our citizens and the SWAT team members. It is one more fine example of the collaboration between the Twin Cities that benefit both communities."