Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. McNERNEY. First, I want to recognize Chairman Wolf for his service to this body and to this country, and I want to recognize the chairman and Ranking Member Fattah for their work on this bill.

Madam Chair, my amendment takes $3 million from the Census Bureau and transfers it to the COPS grant program, with the intent that this $3 million will go toward the COPS Technology grants program at the Department of Justice.

I am proud to represent California's Ninth Congressional District and the work our law enforcement agencies are doing in our region. However, they need additional support. Several cities in my district have violent crime rates that are well above State averages.

Law enforcement agencies are understaffed and are struggling to retain and recruit officers. These first responders are doing their best to stretch budgets in tough economic times while trying to manage crime activity.

This is an extremely difficult task that stresses police departments, officers, their families, and our neighborhoods. Consequently, it is even more important that our communities and law enforcement work together to ensure crime fighting is as effective as possible while also yielding the best results.

One way to accomplish this goal is through improvements in technology. This increases effectiveness. It streamlines capabilities and increases information sharing. Most importantly, it improves the public's and officers' safety.

Through 2010, the COPS Technology program helped more than 3,000 law enforcement agencies acquire essential technology to help meet the needs of their regions. That demand for technology funding by law enforcement agencies across the country has increased in the past 4 years.

I recently met with the chief of police from a city in my district who asked how his department could obtain funding for an innovative project that will help officers identify the exact location of gun shops within the city. This pilot project in a very small area has been extremely successful.

These technology grants would be awarded on a competitive basis, ensuring that each applicant has a fair opportunity to receive money and to acquire and deploy crime fighting technologies.

I do understand the concerns about taking money from the Census Bureau as it begins its preparations for the 2020 census, but I believe that individuals, families, and businesses in high crime areas would greatly benefit from the COPS Technology grant funding in the short and in the long term. This technology will save lives.

Lastly, I want to mention that the International Association of Chiefs of Police supports my amendment, and I urge the adoption of the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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