Letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science - FY 2011
Letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science - FY 2011
May 12, 2010
Members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator:
On behalf of the 1.6 million members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), especially our members working in state and local law enforcement and at the Department of Justice (DOJ), I am writing to express support for President Obama’s proposed fiscal year 2011 DOJ budget. The funding levels for the DOJ Office of Justice Programs (OJP) state and local enforcement assistance programs show a commitment to provide assistance to struggling police departments and correctional institutions.
Across the country, police departments and correctional institutions are facing severe budget shortfalls. Many governors and mayors have already introduced plans to eliminate jobs, decrease funding levels and scale back services. These cuts, which are already taking place, are having a devastating impact on law enforcement and public safety. While law enforcement officers remain as committed as ever to serving and protecting our communities, their ability to do their job is being compromised by staffing shortages and limited resources.
AFSCME urges Congress to help keep communities safe by funding the following programs at the level requested by the Obama Administration:
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program: The COPS program provides grants to hire police officers, improve law enforcement communications technology, and other related initiatives. The COPS program is a wise investment. Helping state and local governments fill vacancies, avoid imminent lay-offs or hire back previously laid-off officers will not only reduce crime, it will help our economy by creating and preserving jobs. AFSCME fully supports the President's fiscal year 2011 request for $600 million.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne-JAG): The COPS and Byrne-JAG programs are time tested programs that have proven their effectiveness over the course of more than 20 years. The Byrne-JAG program helps local governments prevent crime and improve the criminal justice system by providing funds to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and court, prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, and technology improvement, and crime victim and witness initiatives. AFSCME fully supports the Administration’s FY 2011 request for $512 million for the Byrne-JAG program and $30 million for the Byrne competitive grants.
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant (BVP): The OJP also administers the BVP program, which helps law enforcement officers get life-saving body armor by providing funding for up to 50 percent of the purchasing price. Unfortunately, in these tough economic times, many state and local law enforcement officers are working without vests or using expired vests. This is truly unacceptable. Every officer deserves properly fitted unexpired body armor. If a bulletproof vest is worn past its expiration date, the protective fabric may deteriorate and limit its ability to stop a bullet and, ultimately, cost an officer his or her life. AFSCME fully supports the Administration’s FY 2011 request for $30 million.
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP): SCAAP reimburses state and local governments for some of the high costs of incarcerating undocumented criminals held in state and local correctional facilities. Given that immigration is a federal function, states should not be burdened to pay the full cost of incarceration. AFSCME fully supports the Administration’s FY 2011 request for $330 million.
National Criminal Victimization Survey (NCVS): The NCVS is a valuable source of criminal victimization information for the national Crime Prevention Council, community groups and law enforcement agencies. AFSCME fully supports efforts to modernize the program and the Administration’s FY 2011 request for $62.5 million.
We thank you for your leadership on appropriations issues and for your serious consideration of AFSCME’s funding and program requests.
Sincerely,
Charles M. Loveless
Director of Legislation
(note: a similar letter was also sent to the House subcommittee)
