Rochester is a safer and more secure community courtesy of a few public safety grants.

On Monday night, Town Administrator Mike McCue informed Selectmen that Police Chief Paul Magee and Health Agent Karen Walega earned grants totaling $19,135.

Magee secured an $18,000 grant that paid for a new, digital fingerprint scanning system that can swiftly check prints against the national database.

“We’ve moved beyond the old, messy rolling your fingers in ink method,” McCue said. The grant was possible through the Department of Homeland Security.

Magee also won a $5,000 grant that upgraded locks at the Police Department.

Walega earned a $635 grant that purchased a storage shed where needles will be disposed. Located at the police station garage, the shed will be emptied twice a year.

Residents are encouraged to properly dispose of needles, such as ones used for diabetes management, with the Rochester Board of Health. For more information on the program, call 508-763-5421.