RELEASE: Gottheimer Celebrates Federal Dollars Clawed Back to Teaneck from Washington to Support First Responders and Protect Communities

Above: Gottheimer announces new investments clawed back for first responders in Teaneck.

TEANECK, NJ — Today, June 24, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) celebrated the $5 million in federal investments he’s clawed back from Washington to Teaneck to support law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. Gottheimer also highlighted this year’s record-breaking slate of Nonprofit Security Grants, which keep houses of worship safe in the face of hate.

Gottheimer is intently focused on clawing back federal tax dollars from the Moocher States to help strengthen North Jersey and lower taxes. Jersey has historically received about 67 cents for every dollar sent to Washington. By clawing back federal investment, North Jersey can hire, train, equip, and support first responders without raising local taxes.

Video of Gottheimer’s remarks here. 

“We must always have the backs of our first responders, just as you always have our backs. There’s nothing partisan about protecting our communities and equipping our first responders,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Here in Teaneck, I have been lucky to work with so many wonderful local leaders here — the council, police chief, fire chief, and more — to claw back more than $5 million dollars from Washington to the community since 2017.  These dollars will. Help protect our first responders and families — and help lower taxes.  It’s a monumental achievement.”

“As he does every day, Congressman Gottheimer made it his mission to work incredibly hard to recover monies back from Washington, D.C. for New Jersey firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders to protect our communities and our families,” said Teaneck Boro Administrator Dean Kazinci. “My good friend Congressman Josh Gottheimer has significantly reduced the property tax burden in Teaneck by securing money for this municipality for life-saving equipment through the American Rescue Plan Firefighters Grant and the Assistance to Firefighters Grants. Had it not been for Congressman Gottheimer’s continued aggressive efforts to bring money back to New Jersey the cost of recently purchased life-saving equipment… the Teaneck taxpayers would have shouldered a several point municipal tax rate increase. To that, I say thank you.”

“Making sure [our law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS personnel] are properly equipped, protected, and trained will always be the highest priority. Thank you, Josh, for allowing us as elected officials to do so without the burden of raising property taxes for residents,” said Teaneck Councilwoman Karen Orgen. “On behalf of Teaneck, thank you for all that you do for us, for your accessibility, and for always trying to get as much as you can for us and our residents.”  

“Congressman, I would like to thank you as well on behalf of the Teaneck Fire Department and Chief Burchdog. The importance of refunding the AFG grant is so important to us and the fire service,” said Teaneck Fire Deputy Chief Richard Burchell.

“The federal assistance secured by Congressman Gottheimer has certainly benefited the police departments and our community as a whole. These grants enable public safety agencies to acquire necessary equipment, enhance communications systems, and improve overall response capabilities,” said Teaneck Police Deputy Chief Seth Kriegel. “Congressman Gottheimer, your dedication to preserving these funds and your commitment to our communities safety is deeply appreciated. The positive impact on this federal assistance will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.”

Federal Investments in Teaneck Highlighted By Congressman Gottheimer:

• More than $1 million in Nonprofit Security Grants to equip nine synagogues, mosques, churches, and more with vital security equipment and training.
• $500,000 in COPS funding to support a school violence prevention program.
• $437,000 in AFG funding for radios, allowing first responders to rapidly get to a crisis scene.
• $225,000 in AFG funding to help the Ambulance Volunteer Corps purchase a new ambulance.
• $200,000 in AFG funding to purchase new turnout gear for firefighters.
• $113,000 in ARPFFG funding to purchase thermal imaging cameras, turnout gear, gear lockers, and protective, reflective jackets.

Federal Public Safety Grant Programs and Investments for North Jersey:

• LESO 1033 Program, which helps local law enforcement acquire vehicles, aircraft, and other surplus equipment from the federal government. Congressman Gottheimer has clawed back nearly $20 million through LESO for North Jersey since entering office. 
• General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program, which allows surplus federal property, including vehicles, scientific equipment, and heavy machinery to be donated to state, county, and local organizations. Congressman Gottheimer has clawed back more than $2.6 million through the GSA Surplus program for North Jersey since entering office. 
• Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), which equip and train firefighters to better respond to emergencies. Congressman Gottheimer has clawed back more than $8 million through AFG for North Jersey since entering office. 
• Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), which ensures that fire departments can hire and retain a 24-hour firefighting force. Congressman Gottheimer has clawed back more than $4 million through SAFER for North Jersey since 2018. 
• The Community Oriented Policing Services Program (COPS), which supports police departments in hiring officers and training them in community policing strategies. Congressman Gottheimer clawed back more than $3.8 million through COPS for North Jersey since entering office.
• American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants (ARPFFG), which helps local fire departments cover the cost of protective clothing and critical equipment. Congressman Gottheimer clawed back more than $3.4 million through ARPFFG for North Jersey since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which invests in physical protections, security technology, and training for religious institutions. Congressman Gottheimer clawed back more than $10.3 million in Nonprofit Security Grants for North Jersey since entering office.

During today’s event, Gottheimer highlighted his work to pass the bipartisan Fire Grants Safety Act through the House and Senate with Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-9). He also discussed his work in securing $400 million in expanded appropriations for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which is critical in the face of rising antisemtism and Islamophobia.

Gottheimer was joined by Teaneck EMS President Danny Senter, Teaneck Boro Administrator Dean Kazinci, Teaneck Fire Chief Joseph Berchtold,  Teaneck Police Deputy Chief Seth Kriegel, Teaneck Deputy Mayor Danielle Gee, Teaneck Councilwoman Karen Orgen, PBA 215 President Tony Olamiju, Fire Officers Association 242 President Steve Von Matter, and FMBA Local 42 President Eric Romero. 

Below: Gottheimer announces new investments clawed back for first responders in Teaneck.

Gottheimer’s remarks as prepared for delivery: 

Good evening, everyone. It’s great to join you here in Teaneck. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with our great firefighters, police officers, and EMTs. Thanks for taking the time to come out tonight — I know you’ve had a particularly busy few days protecting people during this heat wave. As ever, we all thank you for your remarkable, selfless service.  

Thanks for getting our backs. You’ll hear me say it over and over: we must always get the backs of those who have ours. 

Today, I’m honored to share more great news about the dollars that we’ve clawed back from Washington to Teaneck to help protect Jersey families and ensure our brave first responders have the equipment, training, and resources they need. These investments are the results of hard work and close partnership with both our local township staff and the great unions who represent them — New Jersey State PBA and PFA New Jersey. 

I’m lucky to count on these groups as partners and collaborators in our shared mission of public safety. Here in Teaneck, I have been lucky to work with so many wonderful local leaders here — the council, police chief, fire chief, and more — to claw back more than $5 million dollars from Washington to the township since 2017. It’s a monumental achievement, and I know those investments are paying dividends when it comes to public safety. 

I want to take a second to specifically thank Dean Kazinci, who will be retiring as Township Manager after an exceptional six-year tenure. Dean, I think I speak for everyone in this room when I say we’re incredibly grateful for all you’ve done for Teaneck — as a detective, a township manager, and a great friend to me.

Ever since I was elected to Congress, I’ve been laser focused on clawing our federal tax dollars back from Washington to help strengthen our communities. In fact, my first public event in Jersey as a member of Congress was with Bill Pascrell at the Teaneck Firehouse, right after I joined the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services Caucus.  

My dad always said to me as a kid, “if you don’t ask, you don’t get.” And, for too long, North Jersey, specifically the Fifth District, didn’t fight for federal grants, whether that was hoses to help our firefighters fight a five-alarm fire or radios to help our EMTs stay connected in times of emergency. We left money on the table by not applying, which was swept up by Red States that I lovingly call the “Moocher States.” 

Clawing back investments for our communities is a win-win-win – for our families, for our first responders, for our communities. By clawing back major grants, we’re making sure that Jersey gets what it deserves. Jersey historically has received about 67 cents for every dollar we send to Washington, that’s about four times less than Moocher States like Mississippi and West Virginia. 

The more federal tax dollars we claw back to Jersey, the less our towns have to charge in local property taxes. And, as you know well, our taxes are far too high. Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, including a median tax bill of more than $15,000 here in Bergen County. I’m all about lowering taxes and doing everything we can to make life more affordable. To me, it’s all about making sure you can afford to work, live, and stay in Jersey with your families.  

I am very proud that, since 2016, working together, we are up 357 percent in the federal tax dollars that we’ve clawed back to North Jersey from Washington, helping to keep the Fifth District Safe. I’ve heard directly from our firefighters, EMS, and police that these clawbacks —from programs like LESO, AFG, ARPFFG, SAFER, and COPS — have made a world of a difference.

I want to take a few minutes to walk through each of these programs and underscore just how much they’ve delivered for North Jersey and specifically, Teaneck, over the past few years. 

I’ll start with our great law enforcement. Our police departments need support to recruit, train, and retain talent. A 2023 survey from Lexipol found that 87 percent of police officers in the U.S. work in departments that are not fully staffed, and we are having a really tough time in Jersey recruiting and retaining law enforcement. Our new recruit classes are way down, and turnover is way up. That’s why I’ve worked so hard to fund programs like the Community Oriented Policing Services or COPS grant to make sure our communities have the officers and support they need. 

We’ve received more than $3.8 million from the COPS program during my time in office, including more than $500,000 for Teaneck. These grants keep our communities safe by making sure we have officers on the beat and investing in innovative solutions that prevent crimes from happening in the first place. For example, Teaneck used its COPS funding to support a school violence prevention program, investing in state-of-the-art security measures like CCTV cameras and building alarms that have been proven time and time again to detect and deter violence. 

Through the LESO program, we’ve helped claw more than $20 million back since 2017, including humvees that have been used to save lives during a flood, generators for blackouts, and so much more. The bottom line, when it comes to law enforcement, we must invest to protect – we must fund, not defund.  I’ve passed a bill out of the House, the Invest to Protect Act, that includes resources for training, recruitment, retention and mental health. 

We are also glad to be joined here by the incredible Teaneck firefighters and EMS, who are always going above and beyond. 

Since 2017, Teaneck has clawed back more than $1 million in Assistance to Firefighters Grants or AFG grants program. That helps our firefighters and EMS access critical equipment, including protective gear, emergency vehicles, and training they need to protect our communities. Teaneck Fire Department clawed back $437,000 for radios, so they could rapidly respond during a fire or other crisis, like a terrorist attack. 

Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps also clawed back more than $200,000 to purchase new turnout gear and more than $225,000 for a new ambulance, helping them care for more patients — and staff up, allowing them to help even more people in times of crisis. I cannot underscore just how important federal investment is to keep our emergency medical services squads running. As you know, some of our EMS teams, including in Teaneck, operate solely on donations. We salute their service, and we must make sure they have the equipment they need to respond when 911 calls come in. These federal investments are truly saving lives.

Across our region, we’ve clawed back more than $8 million in AFG dollars for more than 40 municipalities across Bergen, Sussex, and Passaic Counties. These investments are helping our first responders buy ladder trucks, air filters, and masks, so they’re ready to help in any emergency. 

Also, following the pandemic, I proudly helped pass the American Rescue Plan, which included dollars for new protective uniforms, oxygen tanks, and cleaning equipment for our firefighters, all while lowering the local property tax burden. 

All in all, the Fifth District has clawed back more than $3.4 million in ARPFFG dollars, including $113,000 right here in Teaneck which they’ve used for thermal imaging cameras, turnout gear, gear lockers, and protective jackets that first responders can use for highway calls.

It’s also absolutely essential that we have firefighters round-the-clock ready to respond. After all, fires don’t just pop up from 9 to 5. Teaneck is lucky to have a full-time professional fire squad, but many of our communities rely on volunteers, which are harder and harder to come by. That’s why we rely on the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant — or “SAFER” grants — to help pay local professional and volunteer firefighters. Since 2018, we’ve clawed back more than $4 million for eleven towns across North Jersey: Park Ridge, Franklin Lakes, Hackensack, Washington, and more.

We’re also enhancing public safety and supporting first responders through grants that go directly to our religious institutions, including synagogues, churches, and mosques and religious schools. Since coming to Congress, I’ve been a huge champion of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which invests in physical protections, security technology, and training that keep our communities safe in the face of rising religious hate. 

Since 2017, synagogues, community centers, schools, and Islamic centers in Teaneck have clawed back more than $1 million in Nonprofit Security Grants. These grants ensure our religious institutions are prepared in times of crisis — and thus make the jobs of our law enforcement a bit easier.

Unfortunately, since the devastating October 7th attack, we’ve seen some horrific incidents of antisemitism right here in Teaneck — protests outside of Temple Bnai Yeshurun, caravans shutting down Route 4, and constant harassment. I’ve heard time and time again that people no longer feel safe in the town that they call home. The least that I can do, as your Congressman, is to ensure that our community’s sacred spaces remain secure. 

That’s why, last month, I was honored to visit Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School — also just across town — and announce a record $4.8 million in Nonprofit Security grants, including nine grants for Teaneck. I will never stop fighting to deliver for our region and protect religious freedom — one of our country’s most cherished values.

I look forward to continuing our partnership and delivering even more vital security and public safety investment for our region from my work in Washington. 

Just last week, the Fire Grants Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the AFG and SAFER programs for another five years, passed the Senate. I was incredibly proud to work with Bill Pascrell and Tom Kean to get this bill over the finish line. And fingers crossed, we’ll win even more of these grants over the next five years! 

Before that, in April, as part of the bipartisan Security Supplemental Aid Package, I helped secure a $400 million expanded investment in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. I’m confident that we’ll be able to channel some of these dollars back to Teaneck to combat hate and keep our community safe.

We must always have the backs of our first responders, just as you always have our backs. There’s nothing partisan about protecting our communities and equipping our first responders. 

And, I promise you, this is just the beginning. I look forward to joining you back here next year to celebrate even more investments to protect our communities.

By working together to stand up for safety, here in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.

Thank you. God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

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