CHAMBERSBURG—The Borough of Chambersburg has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
The grant will be used to partially fund the Chambersburg Police Department Renovation project, a comprehensive renovation plan to transform a portion of old City Hall into a facility exclusively for use by the Chambersburg Police Department.
The Project is part of a two-phase facility renovation. The existing City Hall, located in historic downtown Chambersburg, supports borough administrative and police functions.
Due to overcrowding and an insufficient layout, many police functions – including holding cells – are currently located in a poorly ventilated basement.
The first phase of the Project, which is complete, relocated all administrative functions to a newly constructed building adjacent to City Hall. The RACP funds will be allocated toward Phase II, focusing on repurposing the existing City Hall building to accommodate the CPD.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our elected leaders for the strong support needed to get this project funded,” said Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill. “This grant will give the CPD the tools necessary to continue its mission of providing professional police services to the Borough’s residents, businesses, and visitors.”
The renovation of the existing City Hall building into a modern, secure police department will transform the CPD and facilitate improved services and protection of the residents, businesses, and taxpayers.
The building, located at 116 S. 2nd Street, will feature enhanced accessibility, security, and functionality upgrades. Additional upgrades include offices and holding cells, conference rooms, locker rooms, interview rooms, a K-9 facility, a fitness room, and ample storage.
The renovation will accommodate existing and potential future police officer positions. Currently, 35 officers and 3 administrative employees serve one of the fastest growing areas of the Commonwealth.
“The Borough’s growing population puts an increased burden on the police force,” said CPD Chief Ron Camacho. “This renovation project will allow the CPD to have the space and equipment needed to provide the necessary community services and keep the public safe.” Supplementing the $1.5 million RACP award, the CPD has also been awarded a $60,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency through the Innovative Policing Initiatives Program.
This grant will be used to partially fund the purchase of an innovative police officer training tool. The virtual reality training simulator is an interactive crisis intervention, de-escalation, and force option training tool and is a comprehensive solution to allow instructors the ability to provide interactive training to its officers. It is an immersive, hands-on, scenario-based system designed to improve knowledge, skills, abilities, and confidence in a safe, yet challenging environment. “Training is a continual requirement for our officers and this innovative tool will maximize the training received and minimize the financial impact on our department,” Camacho said. “I am pleased that this funding was approved, as this training initiative would not happen without it.”
