McCollum Delivers $3.6 Million for Local Community Safety Projects
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) released the following statement after the Department of Justice released the Fiscal Year 2023 awards for two of Congresswoman McCollum’s Community Project Funding requests:
“I'm pleased to see this critical funding delivered for Ramsey County and Washington County,” Congresswoman McCollum said. "Working together on the federal and county levels, these projects will help keep people safe and supported, and reduce environmental impact – benefiting all of us in our East Metro communities.”
“We are so thankful to Congresswoman McCollum for advancing our Familiar Faces ask in the Community Projects funding,” said Ramsey County Board Chair Trista Martinson. “She understands this kind of creative, innovative approach can ensure our most frequent users of emergency services have the appropriate resources and community supports to help them stabilize and find sustainable housing solutions. We are pleased to work with her to move this pilot project forward. Her leadership and ‘know-how’ to get things done in D.C. makes a difference in our community.”
“We at Washington County are grateful that the Office of Justice Programs has seen the value of providing these public safety grants to Washington County,” said Washington County Board Chair Gary Kriesel. “The money will be used to maintain the safety and high quality of life that county residents enjoy. We are especially grateful for the work of Rep. Betty McCollum has done to bring this funding request to the forefront. Everyone’s work is much appreciated, and the grant money will be put to good use.”
Washington County Sherriff Dan Starry added: “Our Washington County deputies cover 2 million miles annually across both land and water. This initiative adopts hybrid technology to curb fuel usage, minimize fleet impact, and promote public safety. We value the collective dedication of all those who supported this initiative, and we are especially grateful to Rep. Betty McCollum for championing this funding effort.”
Background:
The Fiscal Year 2023 conference agreement which was signed into law by President Biden on December 29, 2022 including funding for all 15 of Rep. McCollum’s requested Community Projects that will directly benefit the Fourth District. Within the Commerce-Justice-Science portion of the agreement, two of McCollum’s CPFs were included, totaling $3.6 million to boost community safety in the East Metro:
- Project: Ramsey County Familiar Faces: Engaging Frequent Users of Emergency and Shelter Services ($2,000,000)
The project will develop and operate the “Familiar Faces” demonstration project to address the frequent users of emergency services who have cycled in and out of shelters, jail, and hospitals, for whom a much more targeted approach is necessary. This program benefits the individuals who get helped, and it benefits the larger community as we take these people out of the system. This program provides for the better use of overall resources by not having people become familiar faces at all. - Project: Washington County Sheriff Office Hybrid Patrol Vehicles and River Patrol Boats ($1,600,000)
The project provides funds to purchase 20 Ford Interceptor Hybrid Squad Cars and two new River Patrol Boats and Motors. This project would allow the Sheriff’s Office to invest in the latest Hybrid vehicle technology to help reduce the fuel consumption and the impact the fleet has on the environment. The purposed vehicles would be used by deputies to patrol both local roadways and the interstate System. The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for patrolling both the St. Croix River and the Mississippi River. These riverways are both used by recreational and commercial boat traffic. The size of the vessels that operate on these waterways and the large geographical area that they cover require a robust and safe watercraft to perform the necessary public safety services, including safety patrols, search and rescue, critical infrastructure protection, such as bridges, dams and refinery, and responding to emergencies. These boats are regional asset’s that are used to assist other local, state and federal agencies.
See the rest of Rep. McCollum’s 15 fiscal year 2023 Community Projects here.
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