RI Delegation Announces $9.1 Million to Boost Public Safety & Support Local Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to improve public safety, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today announced $9,101,109 in federal funding to support police officers, law enforcement agencies, crime victims, and nonprofit organizations. This federal funding will be used to implement a range of crime reduction strategies, criminal justice initiatives, and assistance for crime victims, and to help keep people and communities safe, including: • Combating violence and various forms of crime with evidence-based, collaborative strategies and programs; • Preventing domestic violence and sexual assault and assisting survivors and victims of crime through court and hospital visits; • Upgrading critical technological infrastructure and acquisition of public safety vehicles and protective gear. “This federal funding will improve public safety, prevent crimes, and serve justice. I am committed to ensuring our law enforcement officers are well-equipped and well-trained. This federal funding will help them take a comprehensive approach to reducing crime, supporting victims, and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said Senator Reed. “As a former U.S. Attorney and attorney general, I’ve seen firsthand how increasing resources for local law enforcement and community organizations can make a difference in people’s lives,” said Senator Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Our delegation has helped deliver federal funding to modernize our criminal justice system, expand behavioral and mental health services, and protect public safety.” “Every Rhode Islander deserves to feel safe and supported in their community. This federal funding will equip our police officers with resources to protect the public, while making sure survivors of violence and abuse get the support they need,” said Magaziner. “I am proud to join my colleagues to bring home more federal funding for law enforcement officers across our state and will continue to stand up for first responders.” “Rhode Islanders deserve to feel safe in their communities,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “This federal funding will help support survivors, strengthen local law enforcement, and give communities the resources they need to prevent and respond to crime. I will continue to work alongside our delegation in Congress to provide the resources our communities need to remain safe and secure.” This round of federal funding, which was secured in recent appropriations laws, will be distributed to the state, as well as to local police departments, state agencies, support organizations, and nonprofits, including: $4,583,223 for Rhode Island’s Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds to provide direct services like counseling, personal advocacy, court advocacy, client transportation, and support services to victims of crimes including domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and elder abuse as they move through the criminal justice system. $2,657,307 for the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety to provide supplemental crisis response services for victims. $791,279 to the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety for the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program. $343,065 for the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program to coordinate victim services activities. $265,000 from the Crime Victims Fund to enhance State Victim Compensation payments to eligible crime victims. $197,757 for the Providence Police Marine Unit to purchase a marine enforcement operation vessel for use in and around the waterways of the Providence and Seekonk Rivers, enabling effective rapid response and public safety enforcement within these complex urban estuarine environments. $76,359 for the Pawtucket Police Department to support the Pawtucket Police JAG Overtime Initiative. $60,948 for the Woonsocket Police Department to sustain community policing programs (bicycle patrols and the Police Explorers Post) and purchase a thermal drone. $31,021 for the Cranston Police Department to implement a specialized Drone as First Responder initiative. $25,254 for the Central Falls Police Department to purchase information technology equipment and supplies. $19,090 for the Warwick Police Department to support the acquisition of critical underwater communication equipment for its Underwater Search & Recovery Team. $16,107 for Newport Police to integrate technology to increase the probability of peaceful resolutions when communicating with suspects or individuals in crisis. $14,118 for the City of East Providence to purchase equipment in relation to speed enforcement. $10,539 for the North Providence Police Department to purchase body armor gear. $10,042 for the Coventry Police Department to purchase Honor Guard uniforms.