Last Tuesday, the Chambersburg Police Department was notified it was being awarded $327,465 in the Statewide Local Share Account grant, from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to replace police vehicles, and aging mobile data computers, and license plate readers.

“The Chambersburg community is very appreciative of the continued support we have been given by Senator Doug Mastriano and Representative Rob Kauffman,” Chambersburg Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill said. “Upgrading our police officers’ equipment will not only make their difficult jobs easier but make our residents safer in the process.”

The project includes the purchase of three police vehicles, mobile data computers, and the purchase of mobile license plate readers.

“Our local municipalities and schools work hard to provide safe, healthy facilities and services for the communities they serve, and these grants go a long way in helping to afford needed repairs and upgrades,” Representative Kauffman said. “I was happy to advocate for these grants which will help our first responders carry out their duties more efficiently and safely, provide affordable housing for those in need, and give our students safe facilities in which to learn and play.”

The purchase of the new police vehicles will update and expand the department’s fleet — replacing two aging vehicles and increasing the fleet by one.

The new mobile data computers will replace aging computers that are in the police vehicles, which are beginning to fail.  These computers allow officers to access information, communicate with dispatch and receive critical information related to calls. 

Lastly, the mobile license plate readers, (ALPRs) are cameras mounted on police vehicles. These cameras capture images of passing vehicles and automatically read the license plate numbers.  ALPRs are used by law enforcement to identify and compare license plates against databases of stolen vehicles or vehicles associated with other criminal activity.  The existing ALPRs are also failing, and are in dire need of replacement.

Chambersburg Police Chief Ron Camacho said he is grateful the state is investing in the Borough’s Police Department and feels the department and borough are blessed to have the support of Representative Kauffman and Senator Mastriano. 

“We want to thank Representative Kauffman and Senator Mastriano for their support in helping us to obtain these funds,” Camacho said.

The Statewide LSA program is funded through the PA Racehorse Development and Gaming Act. The Commonwealth Financing Authority oversees the distribution of gaming revenues to support projects of public interest within the Commonwealth. The program is highly competitive, and 2,748 applications were submitted this round totaling approximately $1.3 billion. Of those awards, 1,169 were awarded, totaling approximately $346 million.