[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E14]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         INTRODUCTION OF THE ``SHIELD OUR STREETS ACT OF 2015''

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2015

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing an important bill 
to respond to the crisis that some jurisdictions are facing with 
respect to hiring police officers and funding programs to enhance 
public safety. This bill 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. $100 million for each fiscal 
year 2016 through 2021 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, finding 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. $100 million for each fiscal year 2016 through 
2021 are authorized to be appropriated for this program.
  These programs will help enhance public safety in jurisdictions 
facing high crime rates and particularly acute budget issues. The 
programs would be available to fund the hiring of police officers and 
the operation of initiatives to address public safety and crime. 
Programs that enhance public safety will prevent crime, which will 
decrease the victimization of our citizens and reduce the financial 
costs associated with crime. That is why this legislation is necessary.

                          ____________________