Greenfield Police Department Awarded $49,342 Justice Assistance Grant for Technology Upgrades

GREENFIELD – The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has awarded the city of Greenfield a $49,342 grant under the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. The grant award will aid the Greenfield Police Department in purchasing a digital dashboard personnel software package, monitors, mobile data terminals, camera firewall system software and an in-vehicle K-9 kennel.

The new equipment will provide a critical boost to the department’s operations. Greenfield Police Department Logistic Lieutenant Todd Dodge explained that multiple monitors will be installed at the police station. One monitor and the digital dashboard software package will supply the department with a comprehensive internal status screen, tracking where officers are throughout the city, their on-scene arrival times and other police
response updates.

“This is an excellent opportunity for us to have real-time information provided for our officers and supervisors. It gives officers walking through the station a quick and easy way to see where all the officers are,” said Dodge.

Another monitor will be installed in the lobby of the police station. It is designed to highlight updates from the police, city and other community organizations.

The mobile data terminals furnish essential retrofit upgrades to some of the Greenfield Police Department’s cruiser fleet. The department’s cruisers are between five and six years old, with their interior equipment aging and undergoing wear and tear.

With the grant funding, the police department intends to install mobile data terminals in three cruisers.

“The new computers will be able to function faster and let officers access information quicker,” said Dodge.

The firewall software is another technological upgrade for the department. It will enhance the department’s data and systems security.

“To run all of our systems, we need to replace that firewall with one that can handle all the data coming in and out,” said Dodge.

In addition, Greenfield Police Department K9 Ellie Mae will be provided with a cutting-edge K9 kennel and new K9 safety equipment through grant funding.

The JAG program utilizes grant funds awarded to Massachusetts through the United States Department of Justice to invest in public safety needs of local communities. This year, $4.97 million is being distributed across 110 Massachusetts municipalities. Grant applications were awarded based on meeting at least one of the following criteria:

• Combatting Drug Use
• Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault
• Gang and Gun Violence
• Missing Person Cases
• Hate Crimes
• Technology Upgrades, Investigative Tools, and Protective Gear
• School Safety and Security
• Advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities