Dane County law enforcement agencies, including the Madison Police Department, will receive close to $1 million in federal money from President Obama's recently signed federal economic stimulus bill.
In addition, the City of Madison will receive $703,812, and according to the Wisconsin State Journal, Police Chief Noble Wray said it is likely most of the money will be used to buy new equipment, such as squad car video cameras.
Wray also said the money the MPD will receive is more than twice what they expected, and they are pleasantly surprised at the outcome of the bill.
The money will be available through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program.
According to WisPolitics.com, the Edward Byrne JAG program is a grant program specifically used for state and local law enforcement, but has endured several cutbacks over the years.
The grants have specifically aided in creating drug task forces, drug courts and drug education and prevention programs. Other efforts have aimed to reduce drug abuse and prosecute drug offenders.
Obama said the funds are vital to stimulate the economy as well as maintain security across the nation.
""By keeping police officers on the streets whose jobs were threatened by budget cuts and ensuring states and municipalities have the tools and equipment necessary to fight crime, this money will simultaneously help jumpstart the American economy and protect our citizens,"" Obama said in a statement released by WisPolitics.
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., supports the JAG program and voted in favor of the stimulus bill, largely because he hoped it would save and create jobs in Wisconsin.
""The national unemployment numbers released today show just how important it is to get the funding from the economic recovery bill in place,"" he said in a statement from WisPolitics. ""We especially need to make sure the economic crisis does not jeopardize the safety of our communities.""
