Holyoke accepts $61,049 in public‑safety grants to buy radios and fund anti‑trafficking work

The Holyoke Finance Committee unanimously accepted two Project Safe Neighborhood grants on March 25 totaling $61,049.95 to replenish police equipment and support a collaborative anti‑trafficking and anti‑gang operation.

Sergeant Zurhart told the committee the first award, $47,149.95 (no match), will buy 19 portable encrypted radios to replace a depleted stock of devices and related components. "We are running severely low, and this will help significantly," Zurhart said, noting encryption, batteries and microphones add to the cost and that 8 recruits currently in the police academy will join the force in the coming months.

The committee also accepted a $13,900 (no match) state collaboration grant administered through the Massachusetts State Police. Zurhart said the $13,900 award will fund a joint operation focusing on violent gang activity and human trafficking, including services for women affected by prostitution and efforts to target the consumers of that activity.

Both grants were taken off the table for discussion and approved by roll call; councilors indicated unanimous support. The funds are no‑match allocations intended to address immediate equipment shortfalls and targeted enforcement and support operations.