Lyon County will be receiving more than $70,000 as a part of President Barack Obama’s Recovery Act allocations to be used for law enforcement assistance.
The White House Office of Media Affairs sent a press release stating that Obama announced $2 billion in Recovery Act 2009 funding for state and local law enforcement available through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). Nearly $20 million will be going to Kansas.
“The JAG Program supports a variety of efforts such as hiring and support for law enforcement officers,” the press release stated. “Multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces; crime prevention and domestic violence programs; and courts, corrections, treatment and justice information sharing initiatives.”
Lyon County is listed as receiving $70,735.
The funds are allocated based on a formula of population and violent crimes statistics. This is combined with a minimum allocation amount. Sixty percent is awarded to the state and 40 percent is set aside for local government.
“These funds are a vital component in our effort to not just revive our economy, but to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity and security,” Obama said. “By keeping police officers on the streets whose jobs were threatened by budget cuts and ensuring states and municipalities have the tools and equipment necessary to fight crime, this money will simultaneously help jump-start the American economy and protect our citizens.”
Emporia Police Chief Gary Smith knew funds were coming from the Recovery Act, he said Friday afternoon. However, he does not know who is going to allocate the funds and if there will be any restrictions on how it will be used.
In other news from the Emporia Police Department, the department’s new speed trailer made its appearance this week. Friday afternoon, it was stationed at Sixth Avenue by Lowther North. The trailer digitally flashes motorists speed as they drive near it. The police department paid $6,000 for the trailer, which normally sells for $18,000. Smith said Officer Larry Clay put the word out that the department was looking for a speed trailer and a used one was secured for a fraction of the price. Thurston’s Plus painted the trailer for the police department. The trailer also got new tires.
“It worked out really well for us,” Smith said. “We see it as a part of our enforcement and education.”
Free4all (anonymous) says...
I think its a good idea because some people, not me of course, just dont realize how fast they are going in that tricky area. This will give those people a heads up in a dangerous area.
March 7, 2009 at 11:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Trailer and equipt. look nice. Hope Thurston's got a couple of "get out of jail free" canrs for this service
March 7, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Yes, it is $2 billion earmarked for law enforcement.
Gwen Larson
Managing Editor
March 9, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )