Local Officials: Law Enforcement Jobs Equal Economic Stimulus

Washington, May 19 – The resounding message from local law enforcement officials at a recent Senate hearing was clear: putting more police officers on the streets will boost the sagging economy by putting more people to work, lowering crime and stimulating economic activity.

That message, however, was rebuffed by one policy analyst who told the Senate Judiciary Committee May 12 that grant programs – such as the Byrne-Justice Assistance Grants and the Community Oriented Policing Services grants – make law enforcement agencies less accountable for funding and operating their crime-fighting initiatives.