City of Wilkes-Barre gets nearly $400,000 for new police vehicles
The City of Wilkes-Barre has been awarded close to $400,000 in federal funding for the purchase of five new police vehicles.
U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-8, Dallas Twp., joined local elected officials and community leaders Monday outside police headquarters to a ceremonial check presentation to celebrate the award.
“Today is about making sure the men and women who work every day to keep our neighborhoods safe have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively, safely,” Bresnahan said in a news release.
“The nearly $400,000 in federal funding we secured for the City of Wilkes-Barre will allow the City to purchase new police vehicles and upgrade critical law enforcement equipment, ensuring officers have the tools and resources they need to continue protecting our communities. Investments like this help local departments keep pace with changing demands while continuing to the level of service residents expect,” Bresnahan said.
Mayor George C. Brown, police Chief Mike Boyle, city council President Jessica McClay, councilmen Tony Brooks and Stan Mirin and city Controller Tony Thomas joined Bresnahan for the announcement.
“Thank you, Congressman Bresnahan, for your support of the City of Wilkes-Barre and our police department. With this funding, the City will purchase five new 2027 all-wheel-drive police SUVs, including a full upfit package for each vehicle,” Brown said.
The new vehicles will significantly assist police officers who utilize community policing strategies to target quality of life crimes, to reduce crimes — strategies Brown said build trust and legitimacy with the community.
“Tools such as crime mapping and evidence-based policing strategies are used to deploy officers in saturation patrols throughout the City of Wilkes-Barre. Having vehicles to rapidly respond to service calls throughout the city is essential for community policing strategies to work effectively and for public safety,” Brown said.
The project is one of 13 for which Bresnahan secured federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, including other projects to fund law enforcement. Bresnahan also secured $500,000 for the Scranton Police Department, which he announced at a roundtable with Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday in February.
“Every community deserves to feel safe. That starts with supporting the officers who answer emergency calls, patrol our neighborhoods, and serve residents every day,” Bresnahan said. “I want to thank the City of Wilkes-Barre, Mayor Brown, members of City Council, Chief Boyle, our law enforcement officers, local officials, and everyone who helped make this investment possible.”