Washington DC – Today, Congresswoman Gillibrand, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted to reauthorize the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program until 2012, (H.R. 3546).  The Byrne Grant program is authorized to award grants to states for use by units of local government to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system—with emphasis on violent crime and serious offenders—and enforce state and local laws.  Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws.

“The Byrne Grant program has provided local police departments with millions of dollars to address some of our most pressing issues, including drug enforcement, combating child abuse, neighborhood watch programs and many more,” said Congresswoman Gillibrand.  “I am happy to support the continuation of this valuable program and have fought to fully fund it each year.”

“The Byrne/JAG program is vital for the smooth functioning of the police,” said Joseph Bethel, Chief of Police for Glens Falls, NY.  “In the past, we have used Byrne grants to purchase communications systems so that law enforcement officials can communicate effectively during emergencies.  I appreciate Congresswoman Gillibrand’s support of this essential program.”

In addition to supporting today’s bill, on March 6, 2008 Congresswoman Gillibrand also joined her colleagues to send a letter to House Leadership asking them to replace $429.6 million that was cut from the Byrne Grant program as part of the supplemental appropriations bill.

“When I travel throughout the district, I consistently hear of the importance of this program from local Chief’s of Police,” said Congresswoman Gillibrand.  “Without Byrne grants, many communities would not be able to afford modern investigative equipment or participate in expensive multi-state investigations.”