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AFSCME Supports Reauthorization of "COPS Improvement Act" (H.R. 1700)May 15, 2007 Dear Representative: On behalf of the 1.4 million members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the tens of thousands of AFSCME members employed as public safety officers, I am writing to urge you to vote to pass the “COPS Improvement Act” (H.R. 1700) which would increase the authorized appropriations level to $1.15 billion in fiscal years FY2008-2013. After years of budget cuts to the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program and at this time of rising crime rates, it is important to revitalize and increase funding for this program and promote public safety in our nation’s communities. The “COPS Improvement Act” is scheduled to be on the suspension calendar later this week and AFSCME strongly supports this legislation. The COPS program awards grants to states and local governments to hire and train community policing staff, utilize technologies to address crime, and develop new policing strategies. AFSCME strongly supports community policing strategies because they seek community partnerships to identify causes of crime and promote prevention to reduce crime. Unfortunately, President Bush’s FY 2008 proposed budget would cut COPS funding by 50 percent and this bill would put Congress on record supporting increased federal funding. We urge your support for H.R. 1700. Sincerely, Charles M. Loveless
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