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From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

July 25, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Secures Funds for At-Risk Kids, Public Safety

Washington D.C.-Congressman Jim Matheson said projects benefiting community safety and at-risk youth receive funding in the annual Commerce, Justice, Science (HR 3093) spending measure that is scheduled to pass the House Thursday. The bill funds the operation of the FBI and U.S. attorneys; NASA; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) among other agencies.

"This legislation helps local police and sheriff's departments, as well as anti-gang units, hire officers, employ technology and utilize other tools to keep us safe," said Matheson.

Matheson said he's particularly pleased that the legislation boosts the funding level of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program by 25 percent-to $725 million. That total includes $100 million for the "COPS on the Beat" hiring program. Matheson notes that COPS grants provide vital assistance to local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to-among other things--combat drug-trafficking and drug crime.

Matheson secured a total of $550,000 for the following Utah projects:

  • $100,000 for the Utah Sheriff's Association Jail Inspection System
  • $100,000 for In-Car Video Surveillance technology for the Salt Lake City Police Department
  • $100,000 for Granite School District's START Program. This program targets students at risk for dropping out of school due to gang activity, drug use and other factors.
  • $250,000 for the Sandy City Police Department's Children At-Risk Intervention program, which works to identify and intervene against domestic violence and juvenile delinquency.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)