Virginia faces a number of serious public safety challenges. Coupled with legislation to combat gang violence that passed the Senate in 2008, I continue to push for law enforcement funding to help deter violent crime and protect Virginia’s communities.  While everyone understands that we must reduce the deficit, we also must ensure that law enforcement has the tools to protect our communities.    

Successes securing funding for Virginia’s law enforcement needs include:

• More than $1 million for Virginia’s drug task forces aimed at rooting out drug-related violence and gang activity;
• Obtaining funding for the Virginia State Police to prevent internet crimes against children;
• Collaborating with the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia to help communities in South West Virginia receive designation as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, which will provide additional tools to combat drug trafficking in those communities

Given the current economic climate and the budget shortfalls facing local governments, I am pleased that Virginia received more than $45 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided directly to local sheriffs and police departments and state criminal justice programs to ensure uninterrupted law enforcement services.