Simsbury PD Nets $70K For Tech Upgrades

SIMSBURY, CT — The town's police department this week learned it will be the recipient of some $70,000 in federal funds to improve department technology, including vehicle cameras.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., visited the Simsbury Town Hall Monday to announce the grant.

The federal funds were made available through the Congressionally Directed Spending program, which allows federal lawmakers to advocate for federal funding for local projects.

Blumenthal, working in conjunction with U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., advocated for funding the application submitted by the Town of Simsbury sought.

According to a statement by the Town of Simsbury, the grant funds will allow police to make "critical updates to its dispatch and records management systems, improve mobile connectivity, make on-site security improvements, and add cameras to its vehicles."

“Public safety is a top priority of our Board of Selectmen,” said Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis. “With these federal funds, the Simsbury Police Department can expand its technical capacity and do more to keep our community safe.”

Simsbury Police Chief Nicholas Boulter and Information Technology Director Rick Bazzano created the plan for additional equipment and hardware and software upgrades.

After selectmen approval, the application was submitted to Blumenthal, who reviewed the requests and advanced Simsbury’s application to the Senate Appropriations Committee for approval.

For the full announcement on the Town of Simsbury website, visit this link.