[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 14476-14477] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-7741] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; FY 1998 Community Policing Discretionary Grants AGENCY: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Department of Justice. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (``COPS'') announces the availability of grants to support the purchase of equipment and technology, and the procurement of support services under COPS Making Officer Redeployment Effective (``COPS MORE 98''). Eligible applicants under COPS MORE 98 are those state, local and other public law enforcement agencies, Indian tribal governments, other public and private entities, and multi- jurisdictional or regional consortia that employ career law enforcement officers. DATES: COPS MORE 98 Application Kits will be available after April 13, 1998. The COPS Office will accept applications for COPS MORE 98 from April 13 through May 29, 1998. Large jurisdictions (those serving populations greater than 150,000) are strongly encouraged to apply by May 15, 1998. ADDRESSES: COPS MORE 98 Application Kits will be mailed to all [[Page 14477]] eligible agencies or may be obtained by writing to COPS MORE 98, The Department of Justice Crime Bill Response Center, 6th Floor, 1100 Vermont Avenue, NW, DC, 20530, or by calling the Department of Justice Response Center, (202) 307-1460 or 1-800-421-6770, or the full application kit is also available on the COPS Office web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/cops. Completed application kits should be sent to COPS MORE 98, 3rd Floor, COPS Office, 1100 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Department of Justice Crime Bill Response Center, (202) 307-1480 or 1-800-421-6770. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Overview The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-322) authorizes the Department of Justice to make grants to increase deployment of law enforcement officers devoted to community policing on the streets and rural routes in this nation. COPS MORE 98 is designed to expand the time available for community policing by current law enforcement officers, rather than fund the hiring or rehiring of additional law enforcement officers. COPS MORE 98 permits eligible agencies to seek funding for the purchase of equipment and technology, and the procurement of support resources (including civilian personnel). As a result of this funding, the number of officers redeployed by agencies in community policing must be equal to or greater than the number of officers that would result from grants of the same amount for hiring new officers. Application Kits will be available after April 13, 1998. Completed Applications Kits must be received by the COPS Office by May 29, 1998. Applicants must provide a thorough explanation of how the proposed redeployment funds will actually result in the required increase in the number of officers deployed in community policing. Additionally, the applicant must specify within the COPS MORE 98 Application a plan for continuing the proposed activity following the conclusion of COPS MORE 98 funding. Technical assistance with the development of community policing plans will be provided to jurisdictions in need of such assistance. Grants will be made for up to 75 percent of the cost of the equipment, technology, or civilian salaries for one year, with the remainder to be paid by state or local funds. Waivers of the non- federal share will be considered upon a showing of severe fiscal distress. COPS redeployment funds may not be used to replace funds that eligible agencies otherwise would have devoted to equipment, technology, or civilian hiring. COPS funding must be allocated based on a formula previously established by Congress. An award under COPS MORE 98 will not affect the eligibility of an agency's application for a grant under any other COPS program. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) reference for this program is 16.710. Dated: March 13, 1998. Joseph E. Brann, Director. [FR Doc. 98-7741 Filed 3-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410-AT-M