Higgins & Restaino announce over $38,000 for public safety in Niagara Falls

Department of Justice grant to support police-community coordination

Congressman Brian Higgins and City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino announced the City of Niagara Falls as recipient of a federal grant totaling $38,562. The award is provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program.

“Communication and collaboration are critical to building relationships, trust and information sharing between the public and the police,” Higgins said. “This federal funding supports that important work and contributes to stronger, safer neighborhoods.”

The City of Niagara Falls will use the grant to support two part-time police liaisons, and replace handheld radios to enhance communication between the community and the police.

Restaino said, “This grant funding helps to continue our commitment to enhancing the interaction between our police department and the public. We thank Congressmen Higgins for his support in obtaining this grant and continued commitment to our city.”

The JAG program, offered under the U.S. Department of Justice, is the primary source of federal criminal justice funding provided to states and localities. For 2023, the program is encouraging projects that implement community-based violence intervention approaches and crime and violence reduction strategies.

Over the past seven years, Niagara Falls has received over $433,000 in Department of Justice JAG program funding and COVID emergency relief to support public safety initiatives. This is in addition to $11.4 million in American Rescue Plan funding invested by Restaino in Niagara Falls police and fire equipment, and $1 million in Safer Communities Act funding dedicated to safety in the Niagara Falls City School District.