Tom Harkin: Harkin Announces Drug Fighting Funds For Woodbury County, Iowa

By admin - Posted on August 21st, 2007

Sioux City also receives funds to assign officers to a special drug task force, purchase an ATV for patrolling purposes

August 20, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that Woodbury County received $78,988 to fight crime from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. Harkin has been a steadfast supporter of the Byrne grant program that funds many drug fighting initiatives across the state.

“Byrne grants are critical to efforts aimed at protecting Iowa’s neighborhoods and communities against crime and drug problems like methamphetamine use,” said Harkin. “By targeting illegal drug activity, these funds give law enforcement officials in Woodbury County additional resources to strike at one of the major factors behind crime in Iowa and across America.”

Woodbury County will use half of these funds to cover personnel costs for assigning one deputy to the Tri-State Drug Task Force and to purchase equipment for patrol and investigative purposes. Sioux City will use the other half of these funds to assign two officers to this task force. The Sioux City Police Department will also purchase an ATV to be used to patrol the riverfront and walking and bike paths within the metro area.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives for any of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; and 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.

While President Bush has repeatedly attempted to cut Byrne grant funding in recent years, Harkin has led the fight in Congress to ensure Iowa receives the support it needs to combat meth. Iowa law enforcement officials have repeatedly told Harkin that Byrne grants are instrumental to their fight against meth.

Source: Senator Tom Harkin

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