Above: Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) with New Milford Mayor Ann Subrizi (left) and New Milford Police Chief Frank Ramaci (right) after the tour highlighting new equipment at the New Milford Police Department.

Earlier this month, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined New Milford Police Chief Frank Ramaci, New Milford Mayor Ann Subrizi, New Milford Council President Michael Putrino, New Milford Councilmembers Randi Duffie, Ira Grotsky, Thea Sirocchi-Hurley, and members of New Milford’s law enforcement community to tour equipment received through the federal excess equipment program over the past two years.

The new tools will better equip local police and help the Fifth District claw back more of the federal tax dollar that we have already sent to Washington. The equipment valued at nearly $250,000 will support the Department’s ability to protect New Milford families from crime, lone wolf terror, and the growing threat of natural disasters.

“I am proud to partner with the New Milford Police Department to get these much-needed tools and claw back the tax dollars we already send to Washington,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “New Milford is safer and better prepared for floods, crime, and the threat of terror as a result of the initiative taken by Officer Jeffrey Compesi, Officer Frank Haggerty, and Chief Ramaci. This is equipment that our tax dollars have already paid for – but our region receives only 33 cents back on every federal tax dollar we pay while Moocher States like West Virginia gets $4.23. This new equipment is another step in the right direction to close that gap and have the backs of those first responders who have our backs every single day.”

The equipment was supplied through the federal Law Enforcement Support Office Program (LESO) , and includes critical resources to assist the Department in the event of flood rescues, including a cargo truck, two all-terrain vehicles, and a number of electric generators and generator sets.

New Milford began utilizing the LESO program in 2017, and has already clawed back a total of $243,008.86 in resources and equipment in that time. So far this year, the program has been a $65,186.47 return on investment for New Milford families.

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.

Congressman Gottheimer has been focused on encouraging North Jersey organizations and towns to apply for this program and other grants that would return federal tax dollars to North Jersey. In March, the Congressman joined local elected officials and first responders to announce that the Fifth District had clawed back $290 per household from Washington – 16% higher than in previous years – to support our local schools, boost storm preparedness and response, and fight crime and terror.

Video of Gottheimer’s visit can be found HERE.

Above: New Milford Officer Jeffrey Compesi (front), Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), and New Milford Police Chief Frank Ramaci (left) with the Department’s new M1078 cargo truck.