Sorensen Leads Effort to Fund Police

WASHINGTON, DC – In recognition of National Police Week, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) led a group of 24 of his New Democrat Coalition colleagues in calling for full funding for critical public safety programs that provide resources to law enforcement agencies to protect communities. Sorensen’s advocacy on this issue is in direct response to roundtable discussions and meetings he has hosted with law enforcement from across Central and Northwestern Illinois.  

“State and local law enforcement agencies are grappling with crimes ranging from gun violence and human trafficking to domestic terrorism,” Sorensen and the members wrote in the letter. “However, these entities are often underfunded, with overworked officers. Additionally, many law enforcement agencies struggle to create the type of durable bonds that lead to positive outcomes with the communities they serve. Fully funding public safety programs will enhance law enforcement’s ability to protect communities safely and effectively.” 

Read the full letter here and below: 

Dear Chair Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro, 

We are writing to respectfully request support for critical public safety programs that provide necessary resources for law enforcement agencies nationwide to safeguard their communities. State and local law enforcement agencies are grappling with crimes ranging from gun violence and human trafficking to domestic terrorism. However, these entities are often underfunded, with overworked officers. Additionally, many law enforcement agencies struggle to create the type of durable bonds that lead to positive outcomes with the communities they serve. 

Fully funding public safety programs, like those listed below, will enhance law enforcement’s ability to protect communities safely and effectively. 

• The Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. These grants provide local jurisdictions with enhanced resources for enforcement, prosecution, crime prevention, drug treatment, victim and witness initiatives, mental health, and other important public safety initiatives. JAG is designed to give law enforcement flexibility in creating unique programs to match agency needs. 

• The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program builds trust between police departments and the communities they serve. These grants allow local police departments to hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and train local government leaders to best support their police officers and protect their communities. As law enforcement officers strive to form connections with their communities, the COPS program encourages innovative practices in establishing trust in both the police force and community partners. 

• High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program provides assistance to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to address regional drug threats and help reduce drug trafficking and illegal drug production. This funding would help create key law enforcement partnerships to help reduce the threat of illicit fentanyl in communities throughout the country. 

• Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) grants provide funding for sexual assault kits and other DNA evidence backlogs. Sexual assault impacts millions of people each year in the U.S. After a violating experience, survivors may feel ashamed or afraid to tell the police about their traumatic incident and feel that the processing time for the police to receive the test kit back will simply take too long. This program helps local governments reduce delays in testing which may lead to additional criminal activity by serial offenders or incarceration of the innocent. 

• Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) grants provide funding for comprehensive, evidence-based violence intervention and prevention programs based on partnerships among community-based organizations, local government, law enforcement, academia, and other community stakeholders. These partnerships deliver lifesaving services designed to address trauma, disrupt cycles of violence, and build bridges to opportunity within communities nationwide. 

• Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program integrates research and data analysis to help communities to identify their most pressing challenges with violent crimes and develops comprehensive solutions and resources to address them. 

• Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative grants support interagency collaboration focused on the immediate collection, management, and analysis of crime gun evidence, such as shell casings, in real time, to identify shooters, disrupt criminal activity, and prevent future violence. 

Congress has an obligation to ensure that public safety officers have the tools and resources necessary to carry out their duties in a safe and efficient manner. We appreciate your attention to this request and look forward to working with your committee to ensure robust funding for these essential public safety programs. 

Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal. 

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