09.27.13

Durbin, Bustos Announce Nearly $1.4 Million in Funding for Peoria and Rockford Law Enforcement

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program has awarded the City of Rockford $625,000 in funding to hire or rehire five police officers and the City of Peoria $750,000 in funding to recruit or rehire six police officers. Today’s funding is part of a nationwide announcement of $125 million in COPS grants that will be given to 263 different law enforcement agencies across the country with the aim of creating or saving approximately 937 law enforcement positions.

“Even as tight budgets have forced many law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of officers on duty, the safety of our communities must be our top priority. This funding will help meet that goal by putting more cops on the beat,” Durbin said. “Congresswoman Bustos and I have met with local law enforcement officers in both Rockford and Peoria, and we look forward to continuing to work with these communities on ways to stay safe.”

 

“Starting out my journalism career covering the cop beat at the Quad-City Times, and being married to someone who has dedicated his life to serving and protecting others, has given me a firsthand look into the sacrifices law enforcement officers make to keep our communities and families safe,” said Bustos. “Today’s grants will help give local law enforcement agencies in Peoria and Rockford the tools they need to make sure our region’s streets and neighborhoods are safe for children and families and our communities are even better places to live and work.”

In May, Durbin and Bustos met with senior federal, county and local law enforcement officials to discuss violent crime in Rockford and the law enforcement response. The meeting focused on promoting cooperation between law enforcement agencies. More information on that meeting is available here.

In April, Durbin visited Peoria to meet with local law enforcement leaders and elected officials to hear how the City is using the Don’t Shoot program to fight violent crime. More information on that visit is available here.