U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack, and Bruce Westerman, today announced that Arkansas local law enforcement agencies will receive $2.3 million in federal grants from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to purchase law enforcement equipment and supplies.
“These grants are an important investment in our state that will allow our law enforcement officers to better protect themselves, keep Arkansas communities safe and reduce crime and violence,” Boozman said.
“Arkansas's law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. These grants will allow them to be better equipped to protect our communities,” Cotton said.
“The effectiveness of our local law enforcement declines and the safety of our officers is threatened when access to critical equipment is limited; these grants will help ensure access to the supplies and training that Arkansas officers need to keep our neighborhoods safe," Crawford said.
“Police officers provide the often underappreciated service of keeping their communities safe. This is never an easy job, and I am glad our local police departments are receiving this grant, which will improve their ability to protect themselves, as well as the people they serve,” Hill said.
“Every day, our first responders selflessly serve to keep our communities safe. I applaud this grant funding, which will go a long way toward providing for the necessary equipment to protect them as they do so,” Womack said.
“Our law enforcement officers require the best equipment to do their jobs. These grants awards allow them to do their jobs and protect the citizens of Arkansas,” Westerman said.
The following recipients will receive funding:
- State of Arkansas: The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Intergovernmental Services will receive $1,948,090 to support multi-jurisdictional task force programs, law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs and prevention and education programs. It will provide assistance to state and local law enforcement units to improve their effectiveness in controlling and deterring crime, including multi-jurisdictional drug task forces. The goal of the program is to provide assistance in arrest and prosecution by making the criminal files, laboratory evidence, and legal research available to the prosecutor before the trial begins.
- Mississippi County: Mississippi County and the City of Blytheville and will receive $18,316 to purchase new supplies and equipment for law enforcement operations.
- Saline County: The county will receive $12,038 to purchase a police patrol vehicle for the County Sheriff’s Office in order to support community- based policing initiatives.
- Conway: The City of Conway and Faulkner County will receive $21,484 to purchase law enforcement equipment.
- El Dorado: The City of Eldorado will receive $17,049 to update its law enforcement technology supplies and equipment for use in crime prevention and criminal investigations at the El Dorado Police Department and the Union County Sheriff’s Department.
- Fayetteville: The City of Fayetteville, City of Springdale and Washington County will receive $72,774 to purchase equipment, supplies and training for enforcement agencies.
- Hot Springs: The Garland County Sheriff’s office will receive $19,612 to purchase law enforcement Tasers and holsters.
- Jonesboro: The City of Jonesboro and Craighead County will receive $27,675 to purchase equipment for law enforcement agencies.
- North Little Rock: The City of North Little Rock will receive $43,831 to purchase law enforcement equipment.
- Pine Bluff: The City of Pine Bluff and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will receive $53,968 to support law enforcement training initiatives.
- Rogers: The City of Rogers and Benton County will receive $29,950 to purchase supplies, equipment and new technology for law enforcement.
- West Memphis: The City of West Memphis and Crittenden County will receive $61,399 to purchase law enforcement equipment and provide officer training to support law enforcement initiatives.
The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program was created by the Department of Justice in 2004 to give federal state, and local governments the tools to prevent and combat crime and keep their communities safe. Since its inception, JAG has provided grants to local justice programs for technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, support, and information sharing.
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