WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Herb Kohl today announced that he included $100,000 in federal funding for Milwaukee Police Department technology upgrades and $500,000 to the Safe and Sound program as part of the fiscal year 2011 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill.  Kohl is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and had identified these projects as priorities for funding.    

"The Safe and Sound Program along with the Milwaukee Police Department work tirelessly to protect the city of Milwaukee, our communities and our families," Kohl said. "Safe and Sound has worked to reduce violent crime in Milwaukee and this funding will allow them to continue their street-level approach to crime fighting. The police officers who work alongside the Safe and Sound program deserve up to date equipment in order to investigate criminal acts and continue investigations into violent and non violent crimes."  

The funds secured by Kohl include:

$100,000 for the Milwaukee Police Department

This project will allow the Milwaukee Police Department to purchase and install thirty-five in-squad video cameras.  Currently, 45 percent of the Department's squad car fleet lack cameras.  The Department uses the footage the cameras capture to facilitate criminal investigations, promote public trust in the police force, and train officers.  

$500,000 for Safe & Sound

Through this funding, Safe & Sound will coordinate with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Community Prosecution unit, the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services to improve conditions in the Milwaukee neighborhoods with the highest rate of violent crime.  Safe & Sound will hire Community Prosecution Coordinators to work with residents and law enforcement to address criminal nuisance properties to reduce blight and crime, and Community Partners to build a positive relationship between law enforcement and the community through increased door-to-door resident contact.  The after-school Safe Places program will engage over 600 at-risk youth in crime prevention programs, and the Milwaukee County Boys & Girls Club will provide reentry services such as mental health treatment and job placement for youths involved in the juvenile justice system.  

The Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which includes this project, will next be considered before the full Senate for approval.