Today, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer celebrated National Coffee with a Cop day with the Washington Township Police Department. Gottheimer also toured the $110,000 in new equipment the Department acquired through the Department of Defense’s Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO). The LESO program administers the transfer of excess Department of Defense property that might otherwise be destroyed to law enforcement agencies across the United States at no cost to the local department.

“Every single day, our law enforcement officers across the Fifth District and across the country put their lives on the line so that we can enjoy the freedoms and blessings of living in the greatest country in the world,” said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Historically, my District only gets back 33 cents for every dollar we send to Washington, while Moocher States like Mississippi and West Virginia get $4.38 and $4.23 back respectively. Since taking office, I have been able to claw back 16% more of our federal tax dollars for our District – over $290 per household. I am proud to claw back these resources through the LESO to lower our taxes, keep our communities safe and keep our police officers and first responders safe.”

The Washington Township Police Department first became involved in the LESO in September of 2017 and has since received over $110,000 worth of equipment, including a utility truck used for water rescue and flooding emergencies, a forklift truck with handling attachment, and a cargo trailer.

The LESO program is part of Congressman Gottheimer’s focused commitment to get New Jersey first responders the tools they need, and lowering property taxes by clawing back to NJ more of the federal tax dollars already sent to Washington. By taking advantage of this equipment program, more tools and federal resources are helping North Jersey’s first responders instead of sending them to the Moocher States.

Below: Congressman Gottheimer has Coffee with Cops.

Below: Gottheimer examines a utility truck used for flood rescues acquired by the Township through the LESO program.