WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the office of New York Rep. Anthony Weiner:
Today, with National Police Week approaching, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D - Queens and Brooklyn), a long-time champion of the Community Oriented Policing Services (C.O.P.S.) program, Rep. John Conyers (D - MI), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D - NJ) and Dave Reichert (R - WA), Co-Chairs of the bipartisan House Law Enforcement Caucus, and other members of the Law Enforcement Caucus announced legislation to reauthorize the program and help put more than 19,000 additional police officers on our nation's streets over six years, including nearly 1,330 new cops to fight crime and terrorism in New York City.
Weiner's legislation comes as both federal and local governments are increasing security and police presence nationwide after concerns about possible retaliation from Al Qaeda following the death of Osama bin Laden, and after a foiled plot to attack synagogues in New York City.
Earlier this year, the GOP attempted to eliminate $298 million in funding to the C.O.P.S. program, which would have removed over 1,300 officers from the streets. In February, the House passed an amendment, authored by Weiner, to restore funding to the program and keep beat cops on the street.
Now, under Weiner's legislation, state and local governments would be provided with additional funding to help add officers to protect the streets and encourage them to hire former soldiers as police officers. The NYPD and police departments across the country would also be able to use C.O.P.S. funds on "terrorism cops" - police officers that specialize in homeland security and combating terrorism.
As law enforcement agencies nationwide, including the City, face increasingly tight budgets, it is more important than ever to ensure that state governments and localities have the funding they need to keep our streets safe.
"The COPS program is a proven winner, cutting crime and making neighborhoods safe both in New York City and across the nation," Rep. Weiner said. "More cops on the streets means less violent crimes and greater vigilance against terrorism. It just makes sense."
"With thousands of cops laid off across the country since this economic crisis began, the COPS program is needed more than ever," said U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8). Since June 2010, New Jersey has 3600 fewer cops on the streets. In my hometown, Paterson, NJ, budget cuts recently forced lay offs of 125 police officers, one quarter of their entire force. But now, the COPS program is making it possible for 25-30 of those officers to be hired back this summer."
"As law enforcement officers from across the country come to Washington, DC to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day, I can't think of a more appropriate time for Congress to show its support for their service and sacrifice," said Reichert. "After 33 years with the King County Sheriff's Office, I know that one of the most important things that cops need to know is that their community supports them; including all levels of local, state, and federal government. This bill sends a message that their importance, and their work, has not gone unnoticed. The COPS program not only provides vital technical assistance and support to our men and women in uniform but, more importantly, replaces the cops in our neighborhoods who have been assigned to homeland security, cross-state crime, and internet crime task forces. Every day, law enforcement officers selflessly commit themselves to protecting our businesses, homes, and families. Today, with this proposal, we renew our partnership with these brave men and women and demonstrate our resolve - we will do our part to help our officers effectively and safely carry out their duties."
"I support the COPS Program wholeheartedly, and find it imperative to introduce the COPS Improvements Act, as it would make the COPS program stronger at a time when it is needed more than ever," Conyers said. "These days, state and local governments are facing stringent financial constraints that keep them in need of the necessary resources to keep our streets safe. Some jurisdictions are actually laying off police officers. Since its inception in the Clinton Administration, the COPS Program has funded the hiring of more than 122,000 state and local police officers and sheriff's deputies in communities across America. We must reaffirm our commitment to a program that hires more officers and creates jobs."
"As the son of a New York City cop, I understand just how essential the brave men and women who serve our communities are to keeping us safe from crime and other threats," said Rep. Joe Crowley (D - Queens, the Bronx). "That's why I have long supported bolstering the COPS program, and I will continue to do so. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we provide the resources needed to protect NYC and communities across the country. I thank Rep. Weiner for his leadership on such a critical issue for not only our home state of New York, but for the entire nation."
"The COPS grant program has been successful for many years, and I have supported it from the start. It not only adds police to our streets, but gives them the equipment and technology needed to fight crime," said Rep. Eliot Engel (D - New York). "Thanks to the COPS program, crime has dropped in cities and towns nationwide, and in my district alone, millions of dollars have bolstered our police forces from New York City to the many others serving in Rockland and Westchester Counties. It is essential that we stay vigilant in our fight against crime and passing this legislation is an important component to achieve it."
"The COPS program has a record of success in putting more cops on the beat, where they help keep our communities safe and secure from the age-old threat of crime and the newer danger of terrorism. The federal support for law enforcement is especially important for the many states and towns that are experiencing budget problems and have a hard time keeping their police payrolls where they should be. This is well spent money for an important cause," said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D - New Jersey).
"At a time when we have seen state governments across the country make drastic cuts to local fire and police departments, now more than ever, it is critically important for Congress to provide reassurance and a commitment to those men and women who protect our communities and keep our streets safe. The C.O.P.S. program is essential to the security of our neighborhoods and our country," Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D - Texas) said.
"American law enforcement is under attack by the criminal element. 2011 is shaping up to be the deadliest year for law enforcement in the recent history," said Tom Nee, President of the National Association of Police Organizations. "This legislation is critical for the safety of our communities and law enforcement to continue our work."
Specifically, the legislation would:
- Provide $600 million nationwide each year to localities to hire additional beat cops or rehire officers.
- Add an estimated 19,000 new beat cops nationwide, including nearly 1,330 in New York City, over the next six years.
- Encourages localities to hire former soldiers as police officers and to hire police officers to focus on homeland security and terrorism.
Created in 1994 by President Clinton, the C.O.P.S. program provides localities with a 3-year federal grant for the specific purpose of hiring new police officers. Localities are required to pick up 25% of the cost of the new hire each year and to keep the officer on staff for an additional year. Grants have provided localities with $9 billion since 1994 to hire 117,000 police officers nationwide, including nearly 7,000 in New York City.
The program has been enormously successful. Between 1998 and 2000, C.O.P.S. hiring grants were responsible for reducing crimes by about 200,000 to 225,000 crimes - one third of which were violent, according to a 2005 Government Accountability Office report.
In 2007, Rep. Weiner introduced legislation that would put 50,000 more police officers on our nation's streets, including 3,500 new cops to fight crime and terrorism in New York City. In 2009, the House passed Weiner's C.O.P.S. bill, which would add 50,000 new beat cops to streets over 5 years.
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