Nutley Cops Get Grant For ‘Police and Lunch in Schools’ Program

NUTLEY, NJ — The Nutley Police Department will be one of several New Jersey law enforcement agencies to receive a grant award for community policing, thanks to the Detective Matthew L. Tarentino Community Policing Grant Program.

Nutley police will receive $801 for the department’s Police and Lunch in Schools (PALS) program, according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

The grant awards – which are funded via criminal forfeiture funds – are named for Tarentino, a Summit police officer who tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle accident on May 30.

A second round of grant funding to honor Tarentino will be offered later this year, for which departments not funded in this round may re-apply, authorities said.

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“The overwhelming response we received from law enforcement for this new program is a tribute to Detective Tarentino and a testament to the strong commitment of New Jersey officers to community policing,” said Attorney General Christopher Porrino. “Tarentino had a tremendous passion for public service and embraced the community he served in a remarkable way. The initiatives we are funding will honor his extraordinary spirit and keep that spirit alive across our state.”

Here’s how community policing efforts help local law enforcement officers and the communities they work in, the NJOAG stated:

“Community policing fosters relationships of collaboration, trust, and understanding between law enforcement agencies and their communities. Law enforcement agencies acting alone can rarely solve the difficult public safety problems facing communities in today’s world. Only with meaningful public support and engagement can law enforcement agencies begin to confront these complex issues and effectively protect and serve the public.”

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Photo: Matthew L. Tarentino, NJOAG