Weiner bill would add 3,500 cops

The New York Police Department (NYPD) would receive 3,500 additional crime and terrorism prevention officers according to a bill proposed by Congressmember Anthony Weiner that would fund the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) for 50,000 more police officers nationwide.
Part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, COPS focused on local crime prevention by putting beat cops on the streets where they could build relationships with members of the communities they served. Congress slashed funding for the program in 2006.
“The COPS program is a proven winner, cutting crime and making neighborhoods safe in New York City, the Tri-State area, and across the nation,” said Weiner on Monday, March 26. “More cops on the streets means less violent crimes and greater vigilance - it just makes sense.”
The Weiner bill would authorize $600 million to hire officers nationwide for community policing, counter-terrorism duties and to serve as school resource officers. It also would provide $350 million in technology grants annually for the purchase of items such as lap top computers for patrol cars and crime mapping software and $200 million annually to help local district attorneys hire community prosecutors.
“Congressman Weiner’s proposal is an approach that lends sorely needed aid that will not only give New York City 3,500 more police officers but also the technology and support to make their work effective,” said Patrick J. Lynch, president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.
“Once our police officers salary is made more competitive with other local law enforcement agencies, the NYPD will be able to recruit the additional new COPS program officers while holding on to their highly experienced veteran officers.”