Lowey to Bush: First Responders Need Byrne Grants

NEW ROCHELLE – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today called on President Bush to sign legislation passed by Congress reauthorizing the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, which has provided $633,000 to Westchester County first responders since 2005.

“Byrne grants serve a critical function, helping to provide local law enforcement agencies the resources to keep our community safe,” said Lowey. “President Bush’s continued insistence on cutting – or eliminating altogether – this program flies in the face of common sense. We should be providing more – not less – assistance to the first responders who are at the front lines of public safety. I urge President Bush to sign this important reauthorization.”

The Byrne JAG program, named after a NYPD officer who was killed in the line of duty in Queens in 1988, has been a critical resource for local law enforcement agencies. The $633,000 it has provided for Westchester County first responders since 2005 includes more than $45,000 for New Rochelle which supported the purchase of computer hardware and software to manage data more efficiently. JAG funds have also supported Yonkers, White Plains, Ossining, and Mount Vernon police departments.

President Bush’s refusal to compromise resulted in a significant cut for the Byrne JAG program in 2008, preventing New Rochelle from receiving any funding. In his 2009 budget request, President Bush proposed to eliminate this critical grant program. However, Congresswoman Lowey fought on the Appropriations Committee to provide $550 million in the committee-passed Department of Justice spending bill. Based on historical figures, this would provide $30,000 for the New Rochelle Police Department. Last week, Congress sent a bill to President Bush reauthorizing the Byrne JAG program until 2012.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson echoed Congresswoman Lowey’s call for President Bush to sign the bill and to stop attempting to eliminate the program’s funding.

"Cities are on the front line in the fight against crime, and we need the federal government to act as our partner,” said Bramson. “I join Congresswoman Lowey's call to renew the Byrne Justice Assistance Program, which has helped enhance public safety without burdening property tax payers."