Published: October 10, 2009 12:19 am      

Gallitzin lands $114G grant for police force

GALLITZIN — One of Cambria County’s smallest communities has turned out to be a big winner with federal money headed its way to boost its police department.

A grant of $114,000 has been awarded to Gallitzin Borough from the federal Department of Justice’s Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs program.

The money will be used to hire a full-time officer. The funds will be sufficient to pay for two years’ salary and cover the purchase of a new four-wheel drive vehicle, necessary equipment to navigate the hilly streets in winter, Mayor Ray Osmolinski said.

“It took a lot of help, from the chief (Gerald Hagen) my son, then we talked to Bill Shuster and he gave us some help,” Osmolinski said. “A lot of teamwork went into this effort.”

Jeff Urbanchuk, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, said the grant program plays a big role in helping small and rural communities get police equipment and personnel they need.

“It’s taxpayer money returned to the communities to make sure they are secure,” he said.

The borough has a full-time chief and one full- time officer, along with two part-time officers, Borough Secretary Irene Szynal said. One of the full-timers also has a drug dog which is routinely used.

Szynal said it was important for the borough

to be able to purchase a new vehicle, replacing

one that has become increasingly costly to maintain.

“Certainly it will help with our budget woes, but more than that it will mean more protection for the citizens,” she said. “When this came up, it was the answer.”

The money also will allow the police department to develop a crime watch program and provide crime prevention seminars for borough residents, the chief said.

Szynal said she is in the process of providing information to the justice department to allow for automatic transfer of the funds.

The search for a full-time officer could begin within a month or so, officials said.

Officials hope money can be found to retain the position once the funding runs out two years from now.

An estimated $55 million is being handed out through this funding source to rural and small communities across the country during the current funding round.