Members of the delegation said funding for the COPS program in Fiscal 2003 helped law enforcement departments hire 20 additional community police officers in addition to purchasing technological upgrades and equipment.  In addition to new hires, funding in Arkansas was targeted to prevent methamphetamine usage, enhance homeland security and step-up drug prevention efforts in Arkansas' schools.

Members of the Arkansas Delegation include: Senators Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D), Representatives Marion Berry (D-1st), Vic Snyder (D-2nd), John Boozman (R-3rd) and Mike Ross (D-4th).  

"The COPS program allows law enforcement to move from reactive responses to proactive problem-solving focusing on the causes of crime and disorder," Pryor said.  "I think our parents, community leaders, teachers and schoolchildren would agree that our neighborhoods and schools are safer as a result of the COPS program, and I will continue to fight for additional COPS funding in the federal budget and in Arkansas."  

"The COPS program is invaluable to our local law enforcement agencies in Arkansas," Lincoln said. "From providing funding for homeland security needs across the state to ensuring safety in our schools, the COPS program has been a tremendous resource for crime fighting.  I'm pleased to have supported this program since its creation, and look forward to fighting for this much-needed investment." 

"The COPS program ensures the policemen and policewomen who dedicate themselves to our everyday safety have every tool necessary to complete their important, and sometimes dangerous, mission. The local police forces of Arkansas are more than keepers of the peace - they are community leaders," Berry said.  "These grants will directly improve the communities they continue to lead and keep safe."  

"The COPS program plays a very important role in funding our local law enforcement in schools and communities," Snyder said.  "It's great to see that so many worthy institutions have received this key assistance."

"COPS funding has resulted in more officers, equipment and training for police departments in some of Arkansas' neediest communities.  This investment helps our make our neighborhoods a safer place to live and raise our families," said Boozman.

"As crime rates continue to rise in our country, the need to put more police officers on our streets is more critical than ever," said Ross. "The COPS program has done a tremendous job aiding communities that need more officers, and my colleagues and I have worked hard, together, to secure this funding." 

The following cities and programs received COPS funding in FY2003: 

Arkansas Crime Information Center, Technology, $596,100; 
Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, Methamphetamine, $155,000 
Arkansas State Police, Methamphetamine, $341,750 
Bentonville Police Department, 3 full-time officers, $225,000 
Carroll County Sheriff's Department, 2 full-time officers and 2 part-time officers, $213,389 
Jacksonville Police Department, COPS in Schools, 2 full-time officers, $229,720 
Jacksonville Police Department, 3 full-time officers, $225,000 
Lakeview Police Department, 1 additional police officer, $54,271 
Pegasus Research Foundation, technology, $4,719,125 
City of Pine Bluff, Homeland Security, $94,226 
City of Quitman, COPS in Schools, 1 full-time officer, $89,812 
City of Rockport, 1 full-time officer, $71,501 
Turrell Police Department, Homeland Security, $5,462 
University of Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute, Methamphetamine, $149,025 
Van Buren Police Department, 4 additional police officers, $300,000 
Van Buren Police Department, Homeland Security, $25,000 
City of Wheatley, 1 additional police officer, $47,480