Lowey assails Bush on law enforcement funds
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- July
- 22
Congresswoman Nita Lowey today accused President Bush of “politicizing†the process by which local law enforcement agencies receive federal grant funds.
Lowey, a Democrat representing Westchester and Rockland counties, called on the president to sign legislation reauthorizing the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program
Joined by New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson and Deputy Police Commissioner Anthony Murphy at a press conference at New Rochelle Police Headquarters, Lowey said the president refused to compromise with the Congress on funding the grant program commonly known as JAG.
The Congress last week reached an agreement that would provide $550 million as part of the spending bill, she said.
The president’s 2009 budget, however, calls for the elimination of that program, which has provided first responders from Westchester County with $633,000 since 2005. The president has for several years called for the elimination of the grant program, but compromises have been reached.
“It’s absolutely outrageous that the president would refuse to sign the bill that would provide this money, and other money, to law enforcement,†Lowey said. “Any decrease in federal dollars must be covered by additional local funds.â€
JAG funds in the past have gone to Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, Ossining and Mount Vernon.
In New Rochelle, for example, police would receive approximately $30,000 in 2009; that money would be used upgrade computer systems and reduce the amount of clerical work, said Murphy. Inevitably, it helps make the department more efficient, he said.
Bramson said cities “are in the front lines in the fight against crime†and therefore needed the federal government as a partner. He said that partnership enhances public safety without burdening property tax payers.
The JAG program is named after an NYPD officer who was killed in Queens in 1988 in the line of duty.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 3:50 pm by Gerald McKinstry.
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