Merkley, Wyden Announce $5 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Create and Retain Law Enforcement Jobs

WASHINGTON D.C. – Oregon Senators
Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that over $5 million in Recovery Act
funding will go to pay law enforcement salaries in Oregon communities. 
The funding will employ 21 full-time police officers for three years.

Oregon communities receiving funding
include Astoria, Grants Pass, Gresham,
Klamath Falls, Lane County, Oregon City, Redmond, Springfield, and
Sutherlin.  Award amounts and officer positions for each community are
listed below.

“We’re continuing to
see the Recovery Act create jobs in Oregon,” Merkley said.  “In these
tough economic times, it is critical that we support local governments’ efforts
to protect our communities.  By adding police officers to the streets,
we’re putting Oregonians to work and looking out for our families and our
children.”

“COPS
grants have produced enviable success in Oregon, creating good-paying jobs,
keeping Oregonians safer with more police patrolling the streets, and taking
some of the financial heat off of struggling state and local governments,”
Wyden said.

According to the U.S.
Department of Justice, the grants will provide 100 percent of the approved
salary and benefits for entry level officer positions over a three year
period.  Police departments receiving the grants will then be required to
retain the grant funded positions for a fourth year. 

For more information
about the grants, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.