Lieutenant governor promotes $900,000 county law enforcement grant
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis gathered Wednesday, April 16, with county officials at the Butler County Government Center to promote a three-year, $900,000 grant for county law enforcement that’s part of $45 million statewide Violence Intervention and Prevention grant program.
Gov. Josh Shapiro appointed Davis as chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which awarded the grant money from the state budget. Davis said the proposed 2025-26 budget includes a $10 million increase for the program and a $10 million increase in the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time program, which funds after school programs aimed at helping keep children safe and provide enrichment opportunities. The Kid’s Innovation Playground in Slippery Rock is receiving a grant from the BOOST program, he said.
Davis urged residents to contact legislators and ask them to support the proposed additional funding.
Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger said the grant will help alleviate some of the violent crimes that have increased in the county over the last few years.
“Butler County remains one of the safest counties in the state,” Goldinger said. “That doesn’t mean we’re immune from gun violence and violence in general.”
He said the county had one homicide in 2022, nine in 2023 and six last year, which also saw 135 gun related offenses led to 70 arrests, he said.
The majority of the homicides are related to drug trafficking, which like gun violence, is a problem across the state, Goldinger said.
The grant will be used to train and equip local law enforcement officers to combat and prevent an increase in violent crimes, especially drug crimes, he said.
Goldinger commended county detective William Mayhue for preparing the grant application.
After the news conference, Goldinger said the grant money will be used to hire a part-time detective who will serve as commander of the county’s Emergency Service Unit, fund a full-time detective’s salary and train and equip more than two dozen local police officers over the next three years. The equipment includes bulletproof vests, night vision goggles and updates to the police radio system.
The salary board will create the part-time detective’s position at its meeting next week, he added.
Davis said the commission received 189 applications and awarded grants to 67 applicants “so it was incredibly competitive.”
“One of our administration’s top priorities from Day One is to make sure that Pennsylvania’s communities are safer,” Davis said.
Gun violence is down statewide due to the work of state and local police and community-based intervention programs, he said. Violent crimes in the state are down 16% more than the national average, he added.
“We often focus in interpersonal violence when we talk about guns, but the majority of gun deaths in Pennsylvania are suicides,” Davis said. “This is particularly a problem in rural communities.”
The Kid’s Innovation Playground is receiving a $13,360 BOOST grant for its Lego robotics team “giving middle school students an opportunity to explore their talents and potential career paths,” Davis said.
That grant will be used to create a team of eight students in grades six through eight to engage in weekly meetings and compete in the First Lego League challenges in Pittsburgh in the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Davis said he understands the value of after school activities because he spent most of his days after school at the Boys and Girls Club in McKeesport, where he grew up.
“I know how important it is for young people to have mentorship and safe spaces for them to grow and thrive when their parents are hard at work,” he said.
Tracy Veri, executive director of the Victim Outreach Intervention Center said it takes a collaborative approach to address violence.
“If we’re really serious about saving lives and healing communities impacted by violence we must come together. A collaborative approach isn’t just helpful, it’s essential,” Veri said.
Relationships between law enforcement, health care providers, educators, faith leaders and local organizations are needed to identify risk factors, offer intervention and make neighborhoods safer, she said.
-
District Attorney Rich Goldinger speaks during a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget held by Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel speaks ahead of a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget held by Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis shakes hands with Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe after a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis speaks during a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis speaks during a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
District Attorney Rich Goldinger speaks during a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget held by Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis speaks during a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
District Attorney Rich Goldinger speaks during a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget held by Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis speaks during a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
-
Tracy Veri, executive director of VOICE, speaks during a news conference on public safety investments included in the proposed state budget held by Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at the Butler County Government Center on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
