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Arkansas AG pushes for more federal grant money Wednesday, May 21, 2008 By Sara Spivey Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel asked Congress on Tuesday to continue funding a program that helps law enforcement agents in the state shut down meth labs and combat drug trafficking. The Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant program, or Byrne-JAG, brings officials from separate states, counties and cities together to prevent and fight crime. Arkansas law enforcement agents seized 133 meth labs in the first four months of 2008, which McDaniel attributed to the 19 drug task forces in the state. All receive federal grant money. The program's funding was cut by 67 percent last year, from $520 million nationwide in the 2007 fiscal year to $170 million this year. Byrne-JAG funding has decreased each year since 2004. "Law enforcement agencies across the country were forced to shut down multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces, lay off police and prosecutors, and cease to fund programs proven to assist drug-addicted citizens to again become productive members of society," McDaniel said. McDaniel joined other law enforcement officials from across the country in asking lawmakers to restore grant funding to 2006 levels. McDaniel represented the National Association of Attorneys General at House subcommittee hearing on the matter. A bill to increase the Byrne-JAG is sponsored by Rep. Henry Johnson Jr., D-Ga. It would ensure drug and gang task forces, drug courts, prosecutors, juvenile delinquency and treatment programs receive federal grants through 2012. A similar bill passed the Senate a year ago. Less money means fewer investigators and fewer arrests, McDaniel said. "Since 2004, Arkansas has experienced a 35 percent reduction in the number of cases filed by drug task forces and a 41 percent reduction in the number of arrests made by the drug task forces," McDaniel said. McDaniel said drug task forces across the country make more than 22,000 arrests, seize up to 54,000 weapons and break up 9,000 meth labs each year. "Those of us that know your program know that it has done a lot of good," Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, said during Tuesday's hearing. The effort to restore financial support has been popular. Letters written in support drew signatures from 56 senators and 218 members of the House. But critics of Byrne-JAG say it has too little oversight and too much opportunity for the money to be used by local agencies in ways it was not intended. One lawmaker Tuesday questioned the program's accountability. McDaniel brushed off the concerns, saying police, prosecutors, judges and even the governor's office are watching over the program. He said not restoring Byrne-JAG's funding would be a "step in the wrong direction." "There will be an increased amount of crime across Arkansas and across the country if these resources are taken away," he said. |
