| Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky today met with members of the Lake County Pipes and Drums during their trip to Washington, DC to participate in National Police Memorial Week. In addition to their meeting with Visclosky, the group attended a candlelight vigil at the National Police Memorial, places a Memorial Wreath in honor of Chief Gary Martin, and participated in the National Police Week Parade.
“Our police officers truly are on the front lines of protecting our communities, and they deserve to be honored not just during National Police Memorial Week, but year round,” said Visclosky. “I applaud members of the Lake County Pipes and Drums for representing Northwest Indiana during this national week of recognition.”
Supporting COPS
Visclosky also said that as part of the efforts to support local law enforcement, the House of Representatives would be working to reauthorize the COPS program as early as this week. The COPS program provides local law enforcement with resources for community policing, technology programs, and other programs to make communities across the nation safer. “Police officers in Northwest Indiana dedicate themselves to protecting us, and we owe it to them to provide the tools and resources they need to be successful,” said Visclosky.
Visclosky’s Support of Law Enforcement
Throughout his time in office Congressman Visclosky has worked to support law enforcement agencies at the local and national level, and advanced efforts to reduce crime in Northwest Indiana.
Visclosky authored the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Act, which provides federal funds to help local law enforcement agencies purchase bulletproof vests. Since funding for Visclosky’s Bulletproof vest program became available, over $450,000 has gone to help law enforcement agencies in Indiana’s 1st Congressional District purchase bulletproof vests.
Visclosky was also successful in getting Lake County designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The Lake County HIDTA was created in 1997. Since its inception, Visclosky has helped secure over $33 million to help stop the drug trafficking throughout the area.
In addition to giving police officers the tools they need to fight crime, Visclosky has worked to promote crime prevention in Northwest Indiana. Visclosky has secured $7.5 million for Northwest Indiana’s Drug Demand Reduction Program, which is run by the Indiana National Guard, provides anti-drug programming for students in Northwest Indiana.
Visclosky points to the recent increase in violent crime in Northwest Indiana as proof that a long-term commitment to Northwest Indiana’s law enforcement agencies is needed. “Whether it’s making it easier for police to get bulletproof vests, or investing in anti-drug activities, I will continue to look for opportunities to support the men and women in law enforcement who protect our communities everyday,” said Visclosky. |
