[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  H.R. 3069--THE SHIELD OUR STREET ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2013

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, this bill, introduced on September 9, 2013, 
would establish two public safety grant programs.
  Section 2 establishes Shield Police Hiring Grants, to be implemented 
by the Attorney General, to provide grants to law enforcement agencies 
that operate in Elevated Need Localities. An ``Elevated Need Locality'' 
is a county (or unit of local government which is not part of a county) 
which (1) has a crime rate above the national average, and (2) has had 
budget reductions during the most recent 5-year period. These law 
enforcement agencies could apply to the Attorney General to receive 
funds to hire law enforcement officers, or to rehire officers who have 
been laid off due to budget reductions.
  Grants would last for three years and may be extended by two years at 
the discretion of the Attorney General.
  One hundred million dollars for each fiscal year 2014 through 2019 
are authorized to be appropriated for this program.
  Section 3 establishes Shield Public Safety Enhancement Grants, to be 
implemented by the Attorney General, to provide grants to units of 
local government that has jurisdiction over all or part of an Elevated 
Need Locality. Local governments could apply to the Attorney General to 
receive funds to enhance public safety in a number of ways, such as 
purchasing public safety equipment, funding public safety programs, 
making infrastructure improvements for the purpose of enhancing public 
safety, purchasing and installing street lights to deter crime, funding 
activities related to crime labs, and funding public defender programs. 
Non-profit organizations operating in Elevated Need Localities may also 
apply for grants under this program to fund initiatives designed to 
reduce crime in these jurisdictions.
  Grants would be for one year but may be extended at the discretion of 
the Attorney General.
  One hundred million dollars for each fiscal year 2014 through 2019 
are authorized to be appropriated for this program.

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