02-20-96 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

COPS PROGRAM.... (Continued from Page 1) and replace it (in smaller amounts) with block grants to be spent on anything related to the "public safety." While the Senate initially rejected this approach, ultimately it made its way into the Department of Justice appropriations bill. The elimination of COPS was one reason the President vetoed that bill. It's beyond me why anyone would want to tamper with COPS. It's not a tax -and -spend program; it's funded by the downsizing of the federal government. It's not a red -tape program; the application forms are a page or two. It's not run by bureaucrats; the head of the COPS office is a police chief. And it's not targeted at just a few areas; it's nationwide and half of the grants go to localities under 50,000people. Most importantly, the new officers have been get- ting out onto the streets, and quickly. Page 16 THE EAGLE COPS PROGRAM.... (Continued from previous page) federal government. Also, by undermining the solemn six -year pledge made by the Congress and the President through the Crime Bill, it would reinforce the sentiment that the federal govern- ment doesn't follow through on its promises. If you're troubled by this scenario, please feel free to contact your Senators and Repre- The proposed block grants wouldn't guarantee more officers. The likeliest result. is that they would pit police departments against social service agencies for the same decreased dollars. But, whatever the merits of a new grant structure, . why fix something that isn't broken? Indeed, one could well argue that the result of a "fix" would be the loss of a model for a reinvented, smarter, downsized Continued on Page 16.... sentatives. Also, please accept the commitment of my office that, even in times of furloughs, budget crises and two -foot snowfalls in Washington, we'll keep working on your behalf for better law enforcemdnt.