Shrewsbury Seeks Secure Communities Grant

Shrewsbury Council is expected to sign off on a grant application at its regular meeting Monday night that would help the borough pay for additional police protection.

Called Safe and Secure Communities, the state-funded grant program is designed to provide towns with funding to add law enforcement personnel as warranted by the needs of the community. According to the state's grant website, the program allows for funding of additional officers or funding of law enforcement support personnel. 

has seen several shakeups recently. Earlier this year, , leaving the job to pursue other opportunities. Though his official retirement date is Oct. 1, duties of the chief have been left to Acting Chief Lou Ferraro, who was granted the position by Shrewsbury Council months ago.

The department also to help bolster the department's ranks.

Shrewsbury police have also sought new hires to help secure administrative police work in an effort to get more cops out on the street doing patrols rather than paperwork. 

It is unclear how much funding the borough would receive if given a Safe and Secure Communities grant or how it would put it to use.

According to the state website, roughly 160 towns receive funds for 345 officers and 13 non-police support staff.