Reschenthaler announces $643K law enforcement grant

The congressman attended a press conference with Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli.

By RICH CHOLODOFSKY
TribLive

Officials at the Westmoreland County Courthouse Tuesday announced a $643,000 federal grant that officials said will pay for technology and equipment upgrades for local law enforcement.

The funds will pay to replace and upgrade computers used by prosecutors, investigators and victim witness advocates.

Federal money will also be allocated for the purchase of 26 license plate readers throughout the county, installation of televisions in municipal buildings to display data from the Crime Watch website and expand the district attorney’s office digital forensic tax force and lab.

“We’re really excited about this because we’re gonna be able to have municipal officers all across the county, trained and … working with our lab which is in our law enforcement center to provide the absolute best support and the best technology and cutting edge law enforcement,” county District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said.

Ziccarelli and U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler did not take questions at the short courthouse gathering, The federal appropriations bill was passed by Congress and signed into law earlier this year by President Donald Trump.

Reschenthaler declined to publicly answer questions about the tentative peace deal with Iran or respond to other inquires about key national issues.

Reschenthaler, a four-term Republican from Peters Township, is seeking reelection this November against Democrat Alan Bradstock, a Donora native, in a district that includes about two-thirds of Westmoreland County, as well as Fayette, Greene and Washington and parts of Indiana and Somerset counties.

As the congressman met privately behind closed doors with Ziccarelli following the public announcement, his chief of staff Mike D’Orazio said Reschenthaler would only answer questions about the technology grant received by Westmoreland County. He said the congressman was not available to take in-person questions from reporters about other issues.

Reschenthaler, in brief public comments, pledged to continue to support law enforcement in Westmoreland County.

“I always say that the more money we can bring back to Southwestern Pennsylvania, the better,” Reschenthaler said.

“As district attorney, it has been imperative for my office to pursue and obtain grant funding to enhance and integrate technology into our law enforcement agencies who serve and protect our residents every day,” Ziccarelli stated. “This technology upgrade from U.S. Congressman Guy Reschenthaler’s office is a result of a cooperative effort from our local and federal partners, and I am thrilled this money will be spent on supporting and preserving public safety for Westmoreland County citizens.”

In a press release issued by Ziccarelli, Reschenthaler stated: “I was proud to join District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli today to highlight funding for law enforcement upgrades for Westmoreland County. Nicole has a successful record of ensuring violent, heinous criminals receive justice for their criminal actions, and I am honored to partner with her to secure $643,355 for local law enforcement. This funding is part of the $215 million I was proud to secure last fiscal year for southwestern Pennsylvania as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.”

In total, Reschenthaler secured nearly $215 million for southwestern Pennsylvania in FY26.

Since 2022, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office has pursued and secured approximately $5 million in grant funding for the benefit of public safety.