Wyden, Smith Announce Funding to Boost Public Safety & Help Fight Meth
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Gordon H. Smith (R-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced today that ten Oregon projects to improve emergency communications, fight methamphetamine use and prosecute cases of elder abuse are included in the FY 2009 Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) funding bill recently approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill still requires Senate and House approval and the President's signature.
"This funding will help Oregon remain a safe and secure place to live," said Smith. "Whether it is improving 9-1-1 call centers, protecting the elderly or providing anti-meth programs, these projects will ensure Oregonians receive the service and protection they deserve."
"At a time when so many counties are having to cut protective services from their budgets, Oregonians need exactly the kind of help this funding would provide," said Wyden. "By providing help for meth prevention in Marion County, improving 9-1-1 call centers in Linn, Jackson and Wasco Counties, and protecting seniors in Portland, these funds will have a very real impact on Oregonians across the state."
The CJS bill includes the following Oregon projects:
$325,000 to the City of Astoria for Communications Stability and Enhancements: Funds will help the city to construct new public safety radio sites and replace outdated equipment to increase stability and enhance coverage areas for public safety agencies throughout Astoria.
$300,000 to Wasco County for an Interoperability 9-1-1 Center: Funds will be used to update communications equipment to better meet the needs of hazard response city wide.
$275,000 to Multnomah County for Their Elder Abuse and Prosecution project: Funds will expand Multnomah County's Protection Program by creating a position for a specially trained prosecutor within the District Attorney's Office to investigate and prosecute cases involving the victimization and exploitation of the elderly.
$250,000 to Oregon State University for Disease Reduction in Klamath River Salmon: Funds will be used to research management actions to reduce the disease ceratomyxosis in natural juvenile salmon of the Klamath River.
$700,000 to the City of Medford for Jackson County's 9-1-1 Dispatch Center: Funds will be used to consolidate two existing centers to improve public safety and reduce costs.
$100,000 to Clackamas County for Their Interagency Methamphetamine Initiative: Funds will be used to continue the county's successful Adult and Juvenile Initiatives to combat methamphetamine use in Clackamas County.
$75,000 to the City of Salem Police Department for Their Automated Citations system: Funding will be used to purchase an automated citation system to computerize data flow directly from the time a citation is issued into the Records Management System and into court records.
$200,000 to Expand Linn County's 9-1-1 Dispatch Center: Funds will be used to expand and improve Linn County's emergency dispatch center.
$400,000 to Marion County for Methamphetamine Prevention Programs: Funds will be used to reduce the potential and actual effects of meth on youth and children.
$100,000 for the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team Meth Enforcement: Funds will be used for officers and operational costs to support the fight against methamphetamine, cocaine, and large drug trafficking organizations in Southwestern Oregon.
Next Article
