Friday, July 27, 2007
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui hailed the passage of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which will make significant headway in protecting the citizens of the Sacramento region. Increased funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (C.O.P.S.) programs and for two vital projects is included in the bill, each of which are designed to increase the safety and security of the area.
These two programs are:
· $250,000 City of Sacramento Police Department School Attendance Center: The Center will encourage at-risk youth to stay in school and avoid gang involvement. A new Attendance Center will be started at Natomas High School and will be staffed with a certified social worker, various community- and faith-based organization staff members, and school staff.
· $150,000 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Replacement Project Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department: CAD allows dispatchers to coordinate appropriate response activity to an incoming call. The new system will increase will increase functionality, interoperability, data retrieval and crime analysis.
“As a long-time resident of Sacramento and dedicated public servant, witnessing the crime rate rise in recent years troubled me deeply. Local law enforcement has been tasked with critical responsibilities in our community, and I am proud to utilize federal resources to make my constituents safer brings me relief and satisfaction,” said Matsui.
Last year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that violent crime had its biggest increase in over a decade, including a 9.4% increase in Sacramento alone. Since coming to Congress, Rep. Matsui has taken proactive steps to curb the crime rate in the Sacramento region. In August 2006, she met with local law enforcement leaders to address the issue and discuss ways to reverse the trend.
After hearing from local law enforcers that funding for the C.O.P.S. program and targeting gang activity were of primary concern, she hailed the passage of the C.O.P.S. Improvement Act in May 2007. The legislation will put approximately 523 additional officers on the streets of Sacramento.
C.O.P.S. funding received a major boost under the new majority in the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill. The programs will receive $725 million to support local law enforcement agencies, including $100 million for the “C.O.P.S. on the Beat” hiring program, not funded since 2005. Approximately 2,800 new police officers can be put on
America’s streets with these funds.
“The legislation that we passed in the House today represents a return to the priorities of the people of the Sacramento area. The money allocated for our local law enforcement professionals, the Attendance Center, and the replacement of the Computer will breathe new life into our mission to combat crime. We must continue to fulfill our responsibility to keep our citizens safe,” said Matsui.
A similar bill will be considered by the Senate before it reaches the President’s desk to be signed into law.
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