Boston Area Gets $17.5M in Federal Safety Grants

The Boston area is getting more than $17.5 million in public safety grants from the Department of Homeland Security.

The funding was announced Friday by U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, a Democrat who serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security. He says the funding is an increase of about $7 million over the previous grants.

The Urban Area Security Initiative helps urban areas to equip and train emergency responders and implement emergency response plans.

Keating said past funding under the program was key to preparing Boston and Watertown emergency responders to handle the Boston Marathon bombings.

Two bombs exploded April 15 near the marathon’s finish line, killing 3 people and injuring more than 260.

Two suspects battled police in Watertown early on April 19. One was killed, and the other was captured several hours later.