Congress Urged to Restore Funding
to Public Safety
HARRISBURG
-- The chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency urged law enforcement agencies to demand that Congress restore federal funding to programs that provide services for victims of crime, criminal justice and public safety.
“We are encouraging police departments across Pennsylvania to contact Congress and urge them to restore full funding to these essential programs,” said PCCD Chairman Walter M. Phillips Jr. “Funding cuts could severely hamper communities’ criminal and juvenile justice efforts, and it is imperative for Congress to restore funding that is critical to protecting and helping our citizens.”
In January, President Bush signed legislation that slashed the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, or JAG, appropriation from $520 million to $170 million; a 67 percent reduction. Because a formula is used to fund states, Pennsylvania can expect to see a similar reduction in its share of funding. The impact would be felt beginning next year.
A bill to restore the funds has stalled in the U.S. Senate and faces an uncertain future. The U.S. House of Representatives has not addressed the issue.
Since 2004, PCCD has awarded more than $52 million in Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding to local law enforcement, municipalities, state agencies and organizations to strengthen public safety, justice planning and support various community revitalization projects and services to victims of crime.
As Pennsylvania’s leading agency for criminal justice policy issues, PCCD is committed to providing essential support services to law enforcement agencies, responding to and supporting victims of crime, and strengthening communities.
To find out more about the commission’s other services and programs, visit
www.pccd.state.pa.us.
POSTED 080514_0700 ET
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