Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Wednesday, September 8, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Kit Bond today announced that Southeast Missouri State University received nearly $1 million to upgrade and enhance its crime laboratory. The funding comes as a result of an earmark Bond secured for the project in the fiscal year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill, and is key to the state’s continued success in the war on methamphetamine.

“It’s about public safety. Police and prosecutors want to know their work fighting criminals will pay off. The crime lab provides the evidence police and prosecutors need to prove their cases in court. The end result of improvements to the lab is that Missourians are better protected,” said Bond.

The Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Lab serves 21 counties in Southeast Missouri, processing evidence for the majority of criminal cases in the region. The new funding will be used to increase security at the facility and allow crime lab personnel and law enforcement personnel to work more effectively together to collect and preserve evidence.

Recognizing the severity of the drug problem in Southeast Missouri and the importance of the crime lab, Bond has used his position as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure more than $2.1 million in federal funds in the last five years for the crime lab's relocation, renovation and equipment purchases. Last year, Bond joined Southeast Missouri State University officials in celebrating the opening of the new crime lab facility, much-needed because of the sharp increase in regional methamphetamine cases.

Bond has also worked to boost federal and state cooperation in the fight against the meth trade in Missouri. In 2000 Bond worked to establish MOSMART in cooperation with Missouri Sheriffs and regional task forces to fight the growing problem. Because of Bond’s efforts, several Missouri sheriff departments and regional drug task forces have received $15.2 million to combat meth. As of 2003, nearly 10,000 individuals have been arrested for manufacturing, attempting to manufacture or possession of Methamphetamine in Missouri since MOSMART funding began.

“Law enforcement agencies throughout the 21-county region served by the SEMO Crime Lab are deeply grateful to Senator Bond for providing the necessary resources to make this state-of-the art crime lab a reality,” said Morley Swingle, Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney. “While we have a very capable and responsive staff at the crime lab, the resources Senator Bond has provided gives them the necessary technology and facilities to assist law enforcement agencies in the prosecution of criminals."

Bond served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service to Missourians in the United States Senate.