Congresswoman Laura Richardson Announces Byrne Grants Awarded in Compton, Carson, and Los Angeles

Statement

Today Congresswoman Laura Richardson is pleased to announce that the cities of Compton, Carson, and Los Angeles have received grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. This program supports a range of activities to promote public safety including law enforcement, prosecution, prevention and education, drug treatment and enforcement, evaluation, technology improvement, and victim and witness initiatives.

"An important element of these grants is that the funds can be targeted where the need is greatest, filling gaps and improving efficiencies in law enforcement, the courts, and other facilities," said Congresswoman Laura Richardson. "The initiatives funded by these grants are then useful in collecting evidence and data to learn what works best in fighting and preventing crime so that innovations can be replicated in other districts," added Congresswoman Richardson.

Congresswoman Richardson successfully advocated for robust funding of the grant program in
the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2012 and sought to increase funding for fiscal year 2013. This year, the City of Compton received $115,619; the City of Carson received $39,989; and the City of Los Angeles received $2,365,208.

"In these tough economic times, our law enforcement agencies at every level are still struggling to secure the resources necessary to protect American citizens. I will continue working to preserve this important federal funding and to properly support the dedicated officials in the 37th Congressional District," said Congresswoman Richardson.

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