Funds will Improve Communication Between Police Officers, Improving Response Time and Ability to Protect Citizens

(Quakertown, PA) – Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) joined Quakertown Chief of Police Scott McElree to announce $100,000 in federal funding that Rep. Murphy secured for the Quakertown Police Department.

“This funding will give Quakertown police the best tools available to keep our communities – and themselves – out of harm’s way and to save taxpayers money,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy.

“Congressman Murphy understands that reliable communication equipment is one of the most important aspects of emergency services, and with these federal dollars The Quakertown Police Department will be able to keep our officers safer and our communities safer,” said Quakertown Chief of Police and Boro Manager Scott McElree.

Murphy fought for and secured the funding for this project to improve the Department’s response time and information sharing between the police patrol officers, the Bucks County Communications Center, surrounding municipalities, and the public. The Quakertown police will use the money to purchase updated computers, much needed radios, and enhanced traffic safety technology, ensuring that their officers have the most reliable communications capabilities to properly serve the community.

The funds will allow the Department to purchase equipment to improve communication and information sharing between police officers, the Bucks County Communications Center and the surrounding municipalities. The new equipment will allow for quicker response times and more efficient operations, helping local police departments better fight crime and save money.

The Department’s radios and computers will be updated, and the new safety technology will include a system that allows a responding emergency vehicle to control the traffic signal upon approach. This electronic communication device will cause all four traffic lights to turn red, stopping traffic. Such a capability will alert the public to an emergency and reduce traffic crashes during these situations.

The Quakertown Borough Police Department consists of 17 sworn officers and covers two square miles of approximately 12,000 residents. Quakertown officers respond to roughly 12,000 calls a year with over 800 arrests.

For Immediate Release, April 8, 2010
Contact: Sara Schaumburg, (202) 225-4276