The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will award the Fitchburg Police Department a $625,000 grant to combat staffing shortages as the city’s population continues to grow, NBC15 reports. The grant money will be used to hire five new neighborhood officers.
The Fitchburg Police Department says the needs of the community continue to outpace department capacity, with an increase in 911 calls, crimes, and traffic issues. The population has surpassed 34,000 people, and the department currently has four officers per shift to manage the city’s 35 square miles.
The new hires are expected to help the department meet community needs and improve emergency response times.
