Funding to improve security along state's northern border approved

NH Gov. Chris Sununu (Courtesy)

The contracts approved by the Executive Council today include $107,311 for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and $24,791 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Division of Forest and Lands.

Under the contracts, allowable costs include reimbursing grantees for law enforcement overtime, employer share of benefits, and mileage. Additionally, the funds enable the completion of mandatory training by both departments. The Northern Border Alliance patrol area falls within 25 air miles from the Canadian border.
"Today, New Hampshire took another important step to secure our northern border in the wake of the federal government's refusal to take action," said Governor Chris Sununu. "Just last year, 85% of all land border encounters with individuals on the terrorist watchlist occurred on the northern border. We are laser focused on ensuring these individuals do not enter the Granite State."
Announced in October 2023, the Northern Border Alliance is composed of state, county, and local law enforcement officers with the purpose of conducting patrols along the Northern Border to reduce instances of crime and illegal activity; respond to all threats, crimes, and hazards; and collect, share, and act upon criminal intelligence.
The Northern Border Alliance is funded by the Department of Safety, in accordance with RSA 21-P:69 & 70, which has $1,435,384 grant funds available to the New Hampshire State Police, Forest Rangers, and Fish and Game Department, as well as to county and local law enforcement agencies to fund patrols within 25 air miles from the Canadian border.
"The funding approved today will strengthen the State's ongoing support of local law enforcement agencies in northern New Hampshire and along the Canadian border," said New Hampshire Department of Safety Commissioner Robert L. Quinn. "Our collaborative objectives continue to include increasing public safety presence and response times, increasing crime detection and prevention, and enhancing border security efforts."