Congresswoman Matsui Highlights Justice Assistance Funds at Work in Sacramento

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, July 31, 2009

CONTACT: Mara Lee

202-225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Highlights Justice Assistance Funds at Work in Sacramento
Federal Funds Will Benefit Sacramento City and County

"Now more than ever, Sacramento's law enforcement agencies need funding and support to help protect our community and keep our neighborhoods safe," said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. "This is Recovery dollars at work doing exactly what it should be, relieving our cities and counties of the burden to keep America safe at all levels."

Funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act can be used on activities that stabilize state and local government budgets in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services.

"With budget cuts at city, county and state levels, these funds are crucial in making sure our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep Sacramento safe," Congresswoman Matsui said. "Keeping Sacramento safe is my top priority, and I will continue to help relieve our city and county of budget strains that prevent our law enforcement professionals from doing their job effectively."

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. JAG funds may be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, information systems for criminal justice, and criminal justice-related research and evaluation activities that will improve or enhance:

andbull; Law enforcement programs;
andbull; Prevention and education programs;
andbull; Corrections and community corrections programs;
andbull; Drug treatment and enforcement programs; and
andbull; Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.

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