“I am proud to announce these critical resources for our police and county sheriff’s departments in Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District,” Ross said. “Our local law enforcement officers are the first line of security to keep our neighborhoods and our communities safe, and these federal resources are vital to helping them perform their duties.”

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

 “The Byrne grant program continues to be an invaluable resource for law enforcement,” Pryor said. “Here, we see first hand how communities in south 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.”

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program allows states, tribes, 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.

The following is a list of JAG grant recipients in Arkansas’ Fourth District:

City of Hot Springs Police Department & Garland County Sheriff's Department     $76,406
City of Texarkana Police Department & Miller County Sheriff's Department         $51,831
City of El Dorado Police Department & Union County Sheriff's Department         $22,283
City of Malvern Police Department & Hot Springs County Sheriff's Department    $16,286
City of Magnolia Police Department & Columbia County Sheriff's Department      $15,554
City of Dumas Police Department & Desha County Sheriff's Department             $11,800
City of Hope’s Police Department                                                                       $10,678

–30 –