Jim Matheson: “my home state of Utah is particularly fortunate to have a number of dedicated individuals working in law enforcement to…”

“my home state of Utah is particularly fortunate to have a number of dedicated individuals working in law enforcement to protect our citizens. These days, we all tend to focus on the armed forces, which are obviously a critical element of national defense. But it is also important to remember those on the front lines here at home. Local law enforcement officers need Congress' help to ensure that our streets stay safe for law-abiding citizens. I'm very disappointed that this bill cuts funding for Byrne Grants, COPS grants, Juvenile Justice programs, and Drug Courts. During my time in Congress, every single person involved with law enforcement has made it a point to share with me exactly how these grants help protect Utah citizens. I don't think we can say enough about the men and women who use this funding to better patrol our streets, decrease the availability of drugs in our schools, and ensure that each and every citizen is safe and protected. Officer safety and the ability to investigate major crimes are often compromised by a lack of resources. One of the local police chiefs in a small town in my district said to me last year: Jim, I'm not worried about Al Qaeda attacking our little town. I'm worried about dealing with drugs in our middle school down the street. Every single day, acts of heroism and valor are performed by police officers across our nation.…”