FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gilbert Moore
September 16, 2004 (202) 616-1728
COPS OFFICE AWARDS $82.6 MILLION TO SUPPORT INTEROPERABLE
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Washington D.C. - The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS) today awarded $82.6 million in grants to 23 communities
in 17 states to develop interoperable communication networks. The grants will
cover the purchase of communication equipment, enhancements to communication
infrastructures, data information sharing systems and project management
expenses associated with upgrading interoperable communication systems.
The grants were awarded under the COPS Interoperable Communications
Technology grant program, which seeks to increase the number of integrated
communication and data systems used by neighboring law enforcement, fire
service, and emergency medical service agencies. Each grantee is required to
provide a 25 percent match of the federal funds. Including today's grants, COPS
has awarded $149.1 million to 37 cities to develop and upgrade interoperable
communication systems.
"The ability of first responders and other emergency service providers
to communicate effectively and affect a well-coordinated response during
emergencies is a critical component of public safety," said COPS Director
Carl R. Peed. "COPS is pleased to support the needs of first responders at
the local level."
The two largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) from each state and U.S.
territory as well as the 50 largest MSAs in the country were selected to apply
for the grants, ensuring that large cities and small towns had access to the
program. After eliminating duplicates and MSAs that had previously received
Interoperable Communication grants from COPS, the primary jurisdiction in each
of the resulting 109 MSAs was invited to apply on behalf of their entire region.
Seventy-eight of the invited MSAs applied, and 23 applications were funded. Of
the 23 communities that received grants, 6 had a population of less than
150,000.
In addition to Interoperable Communication grants, COPS provides law
enforcement agencies with an array of community policing training and technical
assistance resources. Since 1994, COPS has made grants to more than 13,000 state
and local law enforcement agencies to hire over 118,000 community policing
officers, investing more than $10.6 billion nationwide.
To learn which cities received grants or for more information about COPS
resources:
###
