WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) today announced $2.4 million in funding for local law enforcement and crime prevention for communities in Connecticut’s 4th District, including $1.6 million for the City of Bridgeport, through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The funding is part of a national Department of Justice investment including more than $4 billion for state and local law enforcement and other criminal and juvenile justice activities. Connecticut will receive a total $20.5 million. A complete list of community-specific grants follows this release, and an additional $12.5 million will go directly to the state of Connecticut.
“Just weeks after President Obama signed the Recovery Act into law, money is flowing into our communities to improve our safety and create jobs,” said Congressman Himes. “Step by step, we’re improving the quality of life in our cities and towns.”
The JAG Program, administered by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and improve the criminal justice system. The procedure for allocating JAG grants is based on a formula of population and violent crime statistics, in combination with a minimum allocation to ensure that each state and territory receives an appropriate share of funding. Sixty percent of the allocation is awarded to the state and 40 percent is set aside for units of local governments.
“I want to thank President Obama and Congressman Himes for securing these funds for the citizens of Bridgeport,” said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. “Maintaining public safety is a top priority of my administration and this funding will enable our Police Department to continue to enhance our community policing efforts, especially in the area of education and training.”
“To our knowledge, this is the largest JAG allocation that the City of Norwalk has ever received for this category of funding, and I’d like to thank to Congressman Jim Himes for his efforts,” said Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia.
Funding that is awarded directly to the state will be administered by a State Administering Agency (SAA) which will then set priorities and allocate funds within that state. Additional information about SAAs can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/saa/index.htm.
Communities in the 4th district receiving direct JAG grants include:
Bridgeport $1,612,284
Darien $17,798
Fairfield $36,992
Greenwich $23,033
Norwalk $328,390
Shelton $21,288
Stamford $374,106
Trumbull $17,100
Westport $13,959
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Congressman Jim Himes represents Connecticut’s 4th District, which includes the communities of Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Oxford, Redding, Ridgefield, Shelton, Stamford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.