Burns gets $64K grant for Johnstown PD to buy body cameras

Lawmaker a leader in funding police, law enforcement

EBENSBURG, Sept. 22 – Always a stalwart supporter of police, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is already delivering results for Johnstown by securing a $64,343 state grant to help equip the local department with body cameras.

“A few weeks ago, I met with Chief Richard Pritchard and Captain Chad Miller to discuss the sudden increase in crime within the city. During that meeting, the department indicated they needed body cameras, but did not have the funds to purchase them,” Burns said. “So, I went to bat for them in Harrisburg, and worked to get a grant to equipment each officer with a body camera -- delivering as part of my commitment to funding our police and getting them the resources they need to keep violent criminals off the streets.”

Since taking office Burns has worked tirelessly to support law enforcement by pushing for common-sense policies to keep criminal off the streets, voting to strengthen penalties for crimes, and forming the Blue Lives Matters Caucus in Harrisburg to rally support for pro-police legislation.

Earlier this month he introduced the Blue Alert Act legislation, which would establish a Blue Alert System under the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System Law. The system would be operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and could be an important tool to protect officers and the public during dangerous threats to public safety.

“A lot of folks talk about supporting the police, but I’ve made it my mission to do more than talk, and to do what I can in Harrisburg to make sure they have the training and resources they need to keep us safe,” Burns said. “I look forward to continuing to work with our local departments to make sure they have the tools they need to keep criminals off our streets.”