FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 3, 2003

LARSON ANNOUNCES $150,000 FEDERAL "COPS" GRANT FOR BRISTOL

HARTFORD- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) today announced that the City of Bristol has been awarded a federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant of $150,000 to hire additional police officers. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Universal Hiring Program (UHP) and will allow the city to hire two additional officers.

"I am thrilled that Bristol will receive this important grant to increase the number of officers serving the city," said Larson. "Like many cities, Bristol has seen a recent economic downturn and this funding will allow the city to enhance its homeland security emergency action plans and help ensure the safety of the community."

Since 1995, the COPS program has provided funding to allow municipalities to hire more than 118,000 officers, helping to make our neighborhoods, schools and communities safer. The grant for Hartford was part of $99.3 million in funding awarded to 204 local law enforcement agencies in 49 states and three territories to fund the hiring of 1,319 police officers.

The program provides up to 75 percent of the total cost of salary and benefits of each new officer for three years, up to a maximum of $75,000 per officer. Local funds pay the remainder and the grant's recipient is required to retain the new positions for a minimum of one local budget cycle after the grant funds expire.

Congressman Larson wrote a letter to Carl Peed, the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services in the U.S. Department of Justice, urging that Bristol be awarded the funding and assisted the City of Bristol in the application process.

###