WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln along with Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) announced today that the Department of Justice's Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program will invest $118,000 in police departments in northeast Arkansas.

The members of the congressional delegation said Mississippi County will receive a total of $42,080. Funding to purchase and install in-car cameras in patrol cruisers will be divided among the County Sheriff ($21,040), Blytheville Police Department ($13,726) and the Osceola Police Department ($7,314).

In addition, the City of West Memphis and Crittenden County will receive $62,363 and $13,945, respectively, to purchase a new computer system.

“The Byrne grant program continues to be an invaluable resource for law enforcement,” Pryor said. “Here, we see first hand how communities in northeast Arkansas will be safer as a direct result of these federal dollars. That’s why I have fought the Bush Administration from slashing this program, and I will continue to do so in the future.”

“Our local police and sheriff officials must have the proper resources, equipment, and technology necessary to ensure safety in our communities. I am proud of the work of these law enforcement agencies in Arkansas in seeking this assistance so that they can continue to provide for the security of the citizens they serve,” Lincoln said.

"It is imperative we give our local law enforcement the tools they need to succeed," said Berry. "Now, with this money and new technology, police officers will be able to fight crime more effectively. I pleased to help secure this funding that will support the hard work our local law enforcement officers are doing to keep our communities safe."

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: law enforcement programs; prosecution and court programs; prevention and education programs; corrections and community corrections programs; drug treatment programs; and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.