Scalise Announces $28,240 to St. Tammany and Jefferson Parishes

Metairie -- Congressman Steve Scalise today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice is awarding $28,240 in federal grants to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in Covington and the city of Kenner in Jefferson Parish for crime prevention initiatives.

“As we recognize the 3-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Southeast Louisiana is still experiencing a crime wave that followed the storm. It is critical that our local law enforcement agencies have the necessary resources to protect our families from criminals.” Scalise said. “I’m pleased to see the Department of Justice committed to assisting the region in keeping our streets crime-free, and I will continue the fight in Washington to make sure Louisiana gets additional crime prevention and law enforcement funding in the future to remain proactive in the war against crime.”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will receive a $16,467 grant for the Street Crime Suppression Overtime Project. This program targets high crime areas which have experienced an increase illegal narcotics as well as property and personal crimes due to the influx of displaced citizens after Hurricane Katrina.

Kenner will receive an $11,773 grant for Operation II Smart – Youth After-School and Crime and Drug Prevention and Education Programs. The after-school program will target at-risk children in grades 2-8 and promote academic achievement and avoidance of criminal associates and behavior.

This grant is part of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. This program is used for a broad range of state and local government initiatives to prevent and control crime at the local level.

In July a supplemental appropriations bill was signed by the President. The Senate version of this bill included additional funding for the JAG program for Louisiana, but it was stripped by House leadership. Congressman Scalise has sent letters to House leadership and has had discussions with the White House urging them to include the funding for Louisiana in an upcoming supplemental appropriations bill this fall. Scalise is also fighting to obtain additional funding to help regional hospitals deal with heavy losses due to increased uncompensated care costs associated with the closure of New Orleans’ Charity Hospital.

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Contact: Luke Bolar
202-226-4309