Johnston Police receives $485K for community safety at event with Rep. Magaziner

Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) announced $485,000 in federal funding he secured for the Johnston Police Department for emergency services equipment to improve response times and community safety. 

The Johnston Police Department serves almost 30,000 residents and over 850 businesses, from mom-and-pop stores to large shipping fulfillment centers. The nearly half a million in federal funding will be used to purchase emergency services equipment including portable radio units, carbine patrol rifles, pole mounted speed measuring signs and two vehicles for the special services unit.

“Supporting local law enforcement is crucial to keeping Rhode Islanders safe, and we must ensure they have the tools and resources they need to do their jobs effectively,” said Representative Seth Magaziner. “I am pleased to secure this federal funding to update and modernize the Johnston Police Department’s emergency services equipment, which is key to responding to critical situations quickly and reducing accidents on the road.”

“Keeping residents safe is a top priority in Johnston,” said Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. “This funding will further improve radio communication between officers, enhance traffic mitigation to keep our roads safer, provide speed monitoring devices to reduce both motorist and pedestrian injuries and also equipment that will keep the men and women of the Johnston Police Department safer while on duty. These are all quality of life issues that every Johnston resident cares about. I’m grateful to Representative Magaziner for his continuous ability to deliver results for Johnston.”

“The Johnston Police Department stands ready to protect and serve Rhode Islanders, and this funding will be used to purchase new equipment to improve emergency preparedness and response times,” said Johnston Police Chief Mark Vieira. “I thank Representative Magaziner for his efforts to support local law enforcement and get this funding across the finish line.”

The police department relies heavily on its emergency equipment to meet the needs of the community and respond quickly to critical incidents and routine requests. This funding for state-of-the-art equipment will increase safety for officers and residents alike, improve communications and response times, and help traffic flow and reduce accidents.

This federal funding, secured by Rep. Magaziner, is among 15 grants totaling $12,883,568 for Rhode Island community projects in the FY 2024 federal budget. The full list of the 15 local projects can be found here.