Burns: ‘Piece of the puzzle’ enhances Johnstown public safety
$90K grant fulfils police chief’s request for new Prisoner Transport Vehicle
Rep. Frank Burns April 8, 2026 | 12:14 PM
JOHNSTOWN, April 8 – Newly hired Johnstown Police Chief Mark Britton approached state Rep. Frank Burns at a drone demonstration held at Greater Johnstown High School in the spring of 2025, seeking help.
Britton had been analyzing police department needs and possible solutions—and one big concern was replacing the 2006 Chevy van used for prisoner transport, a vehicle with 74,000 miles on the odometer, a bad body, and mechanical problems that included the need to keep the charging system plugged in to make sure it started when needed.
Britton, unfamiliar with the grant application process, asked Burns what steps to pursue to get state funding for a new Prisoner Transport Unit, which the police chief considered a “dire need” and “huge asset” to his department.
“There are many times in the city when we have multiple arrests. With the PTU, we are able to transport multiple detainees at one time,” Britton said. “Without the unit, there are times when we would have to take officers off the street in a patrolling capacity and transport them to the county jail.
“Representative Burns told me what I needed to do, and someone would be in contact with me. I filled out the necessary paperwork and followed up with what they needed. Representative Burns and his staff helped out tremendously, and we are now able to purchase a new PTU that we would not have been able to purchase.”
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“Representative Burns and his staff helped out tremendously and we are now able to purchase a new PTU (Prisoner Transport Unit) that we would not have been able to purchase.” – Johnstown Police Chief Mark Britton.
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That’s because Burns, recognizing the importance of replacing an unreliable 20-year-old vehicle that Johnstown police deemed integral to public safety, delivered a $90,000 state grant before the year’s end to make that purchase.
“We discussed the things Chief Britton wanted, and worked to match them with available grants,” Burns recalled. “In October, this one came through. It’s one piece of the puzzle in my blueprint to make Johnstown safer for residents and more attractive for business investment.”
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“It’s one piece of the puzzle in my blueprint to make Johnstown safer for residents and more attractive for business investment.” – Rep. Frank Burns, on the $90,000 state grant to buy a new prisoner transport vehicle.
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Burns said he made this grant a top priority after Britton told him that without the new transport vehicle—which can carry up to 10 people—situations could arise where multiple Johnstown police cars could be diverted from patrolling neighborhoods to carry out that task.
“I don’t think anybody—especially Chief Britton and myself—wanted to see something like that ever happen,” Burns said. “I worked with the chief to get this done and did my job to benefit the community.”
Britton told WJAC he met with Burns last April to discuss applying for grants – and Burns went from there to help with landing the money, informing Britton in October that the grant was approved.
The Tribune-Democrat reported that because of Burns’ efforts, the new prisoner transport vehicle will free up at least three police cars that might otherwise be tied up during raids, serving search warrants and policing large events.
Burns hinted that further grant-funded public safety enhancements could be coming, noting, “We’re working together to add some key technology to make the police force more efficient and effective.”