Sayreville Gets $162K To Launch Police Officers' Mental Health Program

SAYREVILLE, NJ — On Friday, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ6) announced he helped secure nearly $2.5 million in federal funding to be used for the police departments in the towns of Highland Park, Neptune, Perth Amboy, Sayreville and Old Bridge, all of which are part of his district.

In Sayreville, the money will be spent on psychological wellness training for police officers. The town received $162,050.

Grant awards are as follows:

2024 Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Hiring Program (CHP) awards:

• Highland Park - $375,000 to hire 3 new police officers (the town did not specify where the officers would placed)
• Neptune - $375,000 to hire 3 new police officers (the town did not specify where the officers would placed)
• Perth Amboy - $250,000 to hire two new school resource officers

2024 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) program awards:

• Sayreville - $162,050 to support its Psychological Wellness Program

2024 COPS Office Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) Awards

• Old Bridge - $1.3 million

Sayreville Mayor Kennedy O’Brien said:

"I want to extend my appreciation to Congressman Pallone for his efforts, as this grant will allow the Sayreville Police Department to enhance mental health and wellness resources for our officers."

In Old Bridge, the $1.3 million will go towards upgrading police technology equipment and the emergency operations center, said Mayor Debbie Walker.

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety received $4 million to investigate illicit activities relating to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, or prescription opioids, as well as $1 million to investigate precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine traffickers.