Governor Jan Brewer has announced state grants to local and state law enforcement
officials to combat criminal activity associated with or directly stemming from the international border.
"I reject the Obama administration's notion that Arizona's border security is better than ever," said Governor Jan Brewer. "Since the federal government continues to announce inadequate plans, and place new warning signs on federal lands in Arizona, we are forced to do what we can locally to act on safety and security until the Congress and the Administration act. I have chosen to allocate nearly $10 million of my discretionary federal stimulus funds to support law enforcement officials who deal with the ramifications of illegal activity along the border on a daily basis."
Governor Brewer previously authorized the utilization of $10 million of State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to fund the Border Security Enhancement Program. Complete details of the program and guidance for application can be reviewed at: http://azgovernor.gov/dms/upload/PR_051810_BorderSecurityEnhancementProgram.pdf
The grant funds were allocated to supplement law enforcement's ability to address illegal drug trafficking, human smuggling and illegal immigration. Examples of allowable expenses include personnel overtime, training costs, vehicles and other equipment suitable for the harsh environment that exists along the border and communications equipment that will allow law enforcement to communicate more effectively. All initiatives were required to emphasize protection of residents and commercial interests threatened by criminal activity emerging from the border.
Proposals and their potential for rapid implementation and lasting impact were evaluated by a committee comprised of personnel from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, the Arizona Department of Corrections, and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.
Recipients can commence their projects immediately and all must be completed on or before September 30, 2011 when the SFSF funds are scheduled to expire.
Eligible jurisdictions receiving grants include:
Organization Award Amount
City of Benson $76,080.00
City of Bisbee $160,500.00
City of Yuma $334,750.00
Cocopah Tribe $162,500.00
City of Douglas $220,000.00
City of Nogales $703,775.00
Town of Patagonia $114,060.00
Fort Yuma --
Quechan Tribe
$110,000.00
Town of Sahuarita $225,366.00
City of San Luis $195,000.00
City of Somerton $181,000.00
Cochise County $1,550,000.00
Pima County $1,136,688.00
Santa Cruz County $1,300,000.00
Tohono O'odham
Nation
$815,000.00
Yuma County $907,114.00
Arizona Department of
Public Safety
$1,594,000.00