$2M In Federal Funds Coming To Suffolk's Law Enforcement Agencies For Fleets: LaLota

YAPHANK, NY — U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota on Thursday announced in Yaphank $2.025 million in federal funding for Suffolk's law enforcement agencies to implement vehicle fleet improvements.

LaLota has designated $1.2 million for the sheriff’s office for support fleet enhancements "to help ensure deputies have reliable vehicles to carry out their duties," his office said. Additionally, the police department will be given $825,000 for the acquisition of new police vehicles.

The congressman said, "Our men and women in Law Enforcement put their lives on the line every day to keep Suffolk County one of the safest counties in America."

"We must make sure they have the resources to do that job safely and effectively," he continued. "This $2 million in federal funds brings more of our tax dollars back to Suffolk County. As a member of the appropriations committee, I have a front-row seat to how Washington spends your money, and I’m going to keep bringing it back here to support our cops, our sheriffs, our public safety and our way of life."

He was joined by County Executive Ed Romaine, Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, Undersheriff John Becker, and local officials for the check presentations at the police department's headquarters.

Romaine credited LaLota for fighting for the county.

"We are so appreciative of this," he said. "This strengthens our effort to keep everyone in Suffolk County as safe as possible. You delivered for Suffolk County. We are deeply appreciative of this."

Becker thanked LaLota "for his continued support of law enforcement and for securing the grant.

"This funding is a significant investment in the sheriff's office fleet and will allow us to purchase approximately 15 vehicles, both marked and unmarked," he said. "Our vehicles are one of the most important tools that our deputy sheriffs utilize every single day. Our personnel need safe and reliable vehicles to do their jobs effectively."

Catalina said that the $2 million going to law enforcement is going "to go a long way in helping to augment a severely depleted force of vehicles" that his department has.

"We're now going to be able to purchase 15 vehicles as a result of the over $800,000 that Congressman LaLota and his staff were generous enough to give to us," he said. "That's going to help the men and women of Suffolk County Police Department not only be safer but keep the people of Suffolk County safer as well."