PHILADELPHIA, PA-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today joined Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and U.S. Representatives Robert Brady (D-PA) and Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) to discuss the $13,544,604 in federal funding going to the City of Philadelphia through the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). The funding was included in the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“These grants will help the City of Philadelphia and its law enforcement agencies support activities that ensure the safety of its citizens,” said Senator Casey. “One of the objectives of the recovery plan, which I supported, is to help governments revitalize their communities and these funds will help make the communities of Philadelphia safer by preventing and controlling crime.”
“This funding will have tremendous impact on the local community by enhancing safety through advanced law enforcement programs and criminal justice initiatives,” said Senator Specter. “I am pleased that the economic stimulus package will benefit these vital projects to prevent and control crime in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania.”
"This funding represents both important investment in public safety in Philadelphia and great work on the part of our Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.," said Mayor Michael Nutter. "We will use this $13.5 million in grant funding to continue our progress toward reducing crime and making Philadelphia a safer place."
“We’re all concerned about making our city a safer place. I appreciate this important funding that the President is providing under the Recovery Act 2009, which I was proud to support. This funding is vital to keeping Philadelphia and the surrounding counties safe. The Obama administration is demonstrating its on-the-ground support for cities,” said Congressman Brady.
“Our law enforcement officers put themselves at risk each day to keep our communities safe from criminals. We must match their commitment to us by ensuring that we give them the equipment and tools they need to protect themselves,” U.S. Rep. Schwartz said. “This investment is a major win for the City of Philadelphia and for the Commonwealth.”
Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) said, “I advocated strongly for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act because it makes available to local communities stimulus funds like these $13.5 million in Byrne Grants. It is another example of the win-win of President Obama’s visionary plan – aiding the Philadelphia economy while funding a range of critical local law enforcement and crime prevention challenges.”
“With communities across Southeastern Pennsylvania feeling the effects of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, I am proud to announce this critical funding for local law enforcement,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “I voted for the Recovery package to create jobs, put our economy back on track and boost critical priorities – such as law enforcement. Our police chiefs and public safety officers put their lives on the line for our families every day and I am proud to support them in this difficult time.”
The Byrne program is a grant program designed to help state and local governments control and prevent crime and further develop the criminal justice system.
For more information on Byrne grants, please visit: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/jag.html
###
