AG John Kroger Seeks Stimulus Money for Oregon Law Enforcement

Attorney General Kroger meets with U.S. Department of Justice officials and Oregon’s Congressional offices.

Attorney General John Kroger Photo: johnkroger.com

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Attorney General John Kroger traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with Congressional and U.S. Department of Justice officials about getting federal stimulus money for Oregon law enforcement.

“Fighting crime is my highest priority. This federal stimulus money is critical if we are going to keep our streets safe,” Attorney General Kroger said.

Kroger has taken a lead role in trying to secure millions of dollars in federal stimulus grants for Oregon police, sheriffs and prosecutors to combat crime in the midst of budget cuts forced by a bad economy.

The federal stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed by President Obama includes nearly $4 billion for law enforcement. Although much of the money is distributed by a formula based on population, a substantial amount of money will be awarded through a competitive grant process.

If successful, these grants will fund Attorney General Kroger’s initiatives to fight Mexican drug cartels and Internet sex predators. Kroger is also seeking support to pay for more prosecutors, deputy sheriffs and police officers.

In recent years, law enforcement in Oregon has been hurt by the decline in federal timber revenues and now the deepening recession. Some counties simply cannot afford any more cuts to their basic public safety budgets.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department's mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.

Source: Oregon Attorney General