WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today called on Congress
to support community policing initiatives that have contributed to safer
neighborhoods and schools and lower crime rates.
Schakowsky
cosponsored legislation, H.R. 3144, to reauthorize the Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS) program for another six years. The legislation
would provide funding for local law enforcement agencies to hire 50,000
additional police officers and 1,000 new prosecutors and to purchase modern
crime-fighting equipment.
Enacted
in 1994, the legislation has provided law enforcement agencies with funds
to hire police officers and has helped localities place 100,000 police
officers on the beat in 11,000 communities. Under the COPS programs,
the federal government pays up to 75 percent of the total salary and benefits
for each new officer over three years, with the remainder to be paid by
local funds. Since 1993, law enforcement agencies in the 9th Congressional
District have received more than $142 million to hire 2,081 officers.
“The
COPS programs represents an important partnership between the federal government
and local law enforcement agencies throughout the country, including the
9th Congressional District. It has been an effective tool in keeping
our neighborhoods and schools safe. It would be a step backwards
if Congress ignores the needs of local law enforcement officials patrolling
our streets and school hallways,” said Schakowsky.
For
example, the city of Skokie had received a total of $444,700 from the COPS
program to hire 8 community and school police officers. The Evanston
Police Department hired 18 as a result of funds received under the COPS
program. And Loyola University’s Public Safety Department was awarded
$147,369 to hire two campus police officers. |