NEBRASKA CRIME BUSTING FUNDS TAKE A HIT FROM WASHINGTON

On several different occasions I have met with Nebraska law enforcement officials in towns and cities all across the state asking them what they need from Washington to help them do their jobs.

Chiefs of police, sheriffs, and prosecutors routinely tell me that one of the best federal programs they use, especially to fight drugs, is called the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program which is named after a slain police officer.

War on Drugs
One of the main uses of Byrne funds in Nebraska is to develop and operate 9 multi-jurisdictional drug task forces and one statewide task force. Last year those task forces made 4,380 arrests; seized almost 1,000 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine and over 9,000 pounds of marijuana. They developed 511 confidential informants, made 1,412 controlled drug buys, and seized over $1.3 million in cash and goods.

Without the funding from Washington, the continued operation of these task forces is in jeopardy in rural states like Nebraska where small town budgets are unable to fund them without federal help. The elimination of these task forces likely means that tons of illegal drugs will not be taken off the streets.

Despite the proven success of this program and the dire consequences if it is removed, it didn't matter to the House of Representatives or the Administration. The Administration completely eliminated Byrne funding, as it has done for the past seven years. The Senate, as it has done for the past seven years, voted to restore the funding but then the House of Representatives voted to remove the funds when it approved the supplemental appropriations bill.

A Let Down for Law Enforcement
The Administration let down local law enforcement and the House acted irresponsibly by failing to correct this mistake. Washington has chosen politics over law enforcement and homeland security by rejecting the $490 million approved by the Senate.

I am extremely disappointed with the House's apparent indifference to these severe cuts to the Byrne grant program. They jeopardize anti-drug task forces that have drastically reduced the prevalence of drugs and violence in our hometowns. It is unfortunate that these cuts will adversely impact the war on drugs at a time when fighting meth and other destructive drugs remains critical.

It's Not Over Yet
I have been contacted by law enforcement leaders asking if there's anything I can do to help restore Byrne Funds. My hope is that we can restore at least some of the funding in other legislation later this year. I plan to work with some of my colleagues to help them understand what we in Nebraska already know; that Byrne funds are vital if Nebraska and other rural states are to continue the war on drugs and other crimes.

As I've said before, when it comes to rural living Washington doesn't get it. They don't understand the challenges of dealing with crime in wide open spaces. My job, once again, is to help them gain an understanding and try to restore these funds in order to help preserve the good life here in Nebraska.

###



	Column	July 7, 2008
NEBRASKA CRIME BUSTING FUNDS TAKE A HIT FROM WASHINGTON On several different occasions I have met with Nebraska law enforcement officials in towns and cities all across the state asking them what they need from Washington to help them do their jobs. Chiefs of police, sheriffs, and prosecutors routinely tell me that one of the best federal programs they use, especially to fight drugs, is called the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program which is named after a slain police officer. War on Drugs One of the main uses of Byrne funds in Nebraska is to develop and operate 9 multi-jurisdictional drug task forces and one statewide task force. Last year those task forces made 4,380 arrests; seized almost 1,000 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine and over 9,000 pounds of marijuana. They developed 511 confidential informants, made 1,412 controlled drug buys, and seized over $1.3 million in cash and goods. Without the funding from Washington, the continued operation of these task forces is in jeopardy in rural states like Nebraska where small town budgets are unable to fund them without federal help. The elimination of these task forces likely means that tons of illegal drugs will not be taken off the streets. Despite the proven success of this program and the dire consequences if it is removed, it didn't matter to the House of Representatives or the Administration. The Administration completely eliminated Byrne funding, as it has done for the past seven years. The Senate, as it has done for the past seven years, voted to restore the funding but then the House of Representatives voted to remove the funds when it approved the supplemental appropriations bill. A Let Down for Law Enforcement The Administration let down local law enforcement and the House acted irresponsibly by failing to correct this mistake. Washington has chosen politics over law enforcement and homeland security by rejecting the $490 million approved by the Senate. I am extremely disappointed with the House's apparent indifference to these severe cuts to the Byrne grant program. They jeopardize anti-drug task forces that have drastically reduced the prevalence of drugs and violence in our hometowns. It is unfortunate that these cuts will adversely impact the war on drugs at a time when fighting meth and other destructive drugs remains critical. It's Not Over Yet I have been contacted by law enforcement leaders asking if there's anything I can do to help restore Byrne Funds. My hope is that we can restore at least some of the funding in other legislation later this year. I plan to work with some of my colleagues to help them understand what we in Nebraska already know; that Byrne funds are vital if Nebraska and other rural states are to continue the war on drugs and other crimes. As I've said before, when it comes to rural living Washington doesn't get it. They don't understand the challenges of dealing with crime in wide open spaces. My job, once again, is to help them gain an understanding and try to restore these funds in order to help preserve the good life here in Nebraska. ###