U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) recently joined first responders in recognizing a pair of achievements they said would aid police and fire personnel.
The group celebrated the signing into law of Pascrell’s Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021 (PAFRA), a measure that improves federal death and disability benefits for first responders and their families and touted $4.2 million in federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring grants Pascrell secured for Paterson and Prospect Park.
Authorities noted the allocation supports the employment of 24 additional officers.
“Throughout the pandemic, our men and women in uniform have risked their lives every day,” said Pascrell, chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus and Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “The last year was the deadliest ever for our nation’s first responders. It has made clear that more must be done to support these brave men and women. Last week, I was proud to join President Biden while he signed my bill into law to ensure first responders and their families will no longer have to face delays and red tape to receive their benefits.”
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said the city’s goal has been to exceed 400 officers and indicated the grant allocation would aid in getting closer to that number.
Pascrell has fought to fully fund the Byrne JAG program, the COPS Hiring Program, and other key funding streams for state and local law enforcement.