Tom Harkin: Harkin Announces Drug Fighting Funds For Ottumwa, Iowa

$40,000 grant will purchase law enforcement equipment for Ottumwa, Wapello County officers

August 20, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that Ottumwa received more than $40,000 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.

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“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 Ottumwa additional resources to strike at one of the major factors behind crime in Iowa and across America.”

“Over the years, Byrne Grants have helped us fight meth and other illegal drugs,” Wapello County Sheriff Don Kirkendall said. “The funding we are receiving now will go towards the purchase of tasers for our officers to use. Without this award, we would not be able to purchase these tasers with our budget. Anytime we receive Byrne Grants, we try to put them towards needed equipment.”

Wapello County will use 15 percent of the $40,000 grant to funding to purchase tasers. The rest of this funding will be used by the Ottumwa Police Department to purchase law enforcement equipment.

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