The Annapolis and Crofton police departments have won $300,000 in federal grants to help put new officers on the streets in those communities, Maryland's congressional representatives said yesterday.
Crofton will receive $75,000 over the next three years and Annapolis will receive $225,000 under provisions of the 1994 Crime Bill. They are among 53 subdivisions in the state to receive the grants, which are to be matched by local government.
"It'll help us tremendously," said Crofton Town Manager Barbara K. Swann.
The town had set aside money in next year's budget to hire a sixth part-time officer, but the federal money allows them to make that position full-time.
The Annapolis police department will be able to hire three officers to supplement its approximately 120-officer force.
"I'm happy," said Maj. Norman Randall, of the Annapolis department. "It will help us better serve the community. . . . We can always use more officers."
The grants are part of a Justice Department program geared toward towns with populations of less than 50,000 and will pay up to 75 percent of the salary and benefits for each additional officer over the next three years.
President Clinton is to make an official announcement about the grants at a White House ceremony today.