Kiggans Visits Chesapeake Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit After Securing $500k for New Vessel

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Last week, Congresswoman Kiggans visited with the Chesapeake Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit to learn how the $500,000 she secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills will be used to further their mission of increasing community safety. The funding Congresswoman Kiggans secured will go towards the purchase of a new state-of-the-art patrol vessel which will be used to escort vessels through the Port of Virginia, patrol the various rivers and waterways within the City of Chesapeake, and give aid and assistance to boaters in distress.

During her visit, the Congresswoman met with several officers and heard from them about the important work they do to keep our local waterways safe. She was joined by Chesapeake Mayor, Rick West and Chesapeake City Council Members: Debbie Ritter, Amanda Newins, and Daniel Whitaker. 

“Our brave men and women in blue selflessly confront danger each and every day to protect us and our families, and I firmly believe it is only right to support them as they work to keep our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “With this federal funding I secured, the Chesapeake Police Department Marine Patrol Unit will have access to a new vessel equipped with the latest technology to keep Hampton Roads waterways safe. The incredible work these officers do on the water is critical to our public safety and protecting ourm waterways…I’m proud to support them!”

“The support of our elected officials, at every level, is something the Chesapeake Police Department highly values,” said Police Chief Mark Solesky. “Chesapeake is crisscrossed with waterways of all sizes, making the work of our Marine Patrol Unit even more vital, and the need to ensure officers have the proper equipment to protect lives and property that much more acute. The funding from this program will, without question, enhance those efforts and provide a valuable asset to the City of Chesapeake and our public safety partners in the Hampton Roads area.”

Pictures from this week’s visit can be found here. 

BACKGROUND: 

Congresswoman Kiggans secured $16,755,000 for 12 local projects across Southeast Virginia in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which was signed into law on March 9, 2024. More information about this project can be found below:

Chesapeake Police Department Patrol Vessel Replacement: $500,000

• As increasing community safety is a top priority for Congresswoman Kiggans, she secured this funding to help the Chesapeake Police Department purchase a new law enforcement vessel with dual monitors and a cabin for adverse weather conditions. The vessel will be equipped with all law enforcement related electronics for navigating and detecting hazards within the City of Chesapeake and conducting maritime escorts through the Port of Hampton Roads.

Additional details about the other projects Congresswoman Kiggans secured in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, can be found here.

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