Press Releases
Pascrell Praises Law Enforcement Efforts In Bomb Scare Arrests
Washington, DC,
June 27, 2007
Tags:
Homeland Security
“I commend county and local law enforcement officials for efficiently handling this case so that their focus may return to the most serious threats in our communities,” stated Pascrell. “Although we are lucky that nobody was hurt, the recent scare highlighted what many of us already know—that our schools are vulnerable.” In addition to recognizing the law enforcement efforts, Pascrell praised the use of a federally funded surveillance system recently installed in Wayne Valley High School. In September of 2005, Pascrell announced that Wayne Valley High School had secured a $459,000 federal Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) Secure our Schools grant that would later be used to purchase the surveillance system. “Wayne Valley High School was prepared to respond to this incident because they had the right personnel and the best technology,” stated Pascrell. “This is a case study on how federal investment can make a meaningful impact in securing our schools and communities.” Secure Our Schools is one of several COPS initiatives designed to enhance school safety. The COPS grant program awards law enforcement agencies funding to hire school resource officers. Additionally, COPS provides school safety training, and offers a School Safety Package that includes several resources that assist police, educators, and community organizations with preventing and responding to various school and youth safety issues. New Jersey has received over $6 million in Secure our Schools grants. Unfortunately, under the Bush Administration, COPS funding has been sharply reduced. On May 15, 2007 Pascrell voted to pass the COPS Reauthorization Act to help local law enforcement agencies to hire an additional 50,000 police officers on the beat over the next six years. The measure passed by a vote of 381-34. “As the COPS grant program continues to prove its worth, like it did here in Wayne, I will continue to fight for its survival in Congress. ### |