PHILADELPHIA, PA — Arnold Ventures is providing $1 million to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to help more law enforcement agencies qualify for public safety grants by bringing their crime reporting systems into compliance with federal standards.
The funding targets a key obstacle facing many police departments, particularly in smaller and rural communities, that are ineligible for certain state and federal grants because they do not meet the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) reporting requirements.
Removing that barrier could expand participation in the newly enacted VICTIM Act, which includes an initial $2.5 million in state grants to help law enforcement agencies improve violent crime clearance rates through detective training and retention, upgraded investigative technology and services for people affected by unsolved violent crimes.
According to Arnold Ventures, the grant will support agencies across Pennsylvania in achieving NIBRS compliance, allowing more communities to compete for VICTIM Act funding and future public safety grants.
“We wholeheartedly endorse Pennsylvania’s commitment to solve more crimes faster. And we believe that every victim deserves the same chance at justice, regardless of where they live,” Kevin Ring, vice president of criminal justice advocacy at Arnold Ventures, stated. “By helping more agencies meet these reporting requirements today, the VICTIM Act will be able to deliver on an important commitment to solve more violent crimes.”
Ring indicated that the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is expected to issue guidance to law enforcement agencies within the next month outlining how departments can apply for VICTIM Act funding, including assistance available through the Arnold Ventures grant.
Arnold Ventures commissioned a statewide poll last year that found 83% of Pennsylvania voters supported the VICTIM Act, while 70% favored directing additional resources toward increasing the percentage of crimes solved by police.
The Pennsylvania grant follows a similar effort in Utah, where Arnold Ventures earlier this year matched a $250,000 state investment in a Violent Crime Clearance Rate Fund as part of its broader initiative to improve violent crime investigations and clearance rates.
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