WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced more than $1.5 million infederal funding to support New Jerseypolice departments,including nearly $500,000 to address violent crime in Newark.Local agencies will receive the fundingthrough the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, whichhelps agencies invest in technology, equipment, and training to prevent crimes in local communities.

"This federal funding will help local law enforcement throughout New Jersey keep our communities safe,"said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the Byrne JAG program. "While violent crime persists in Newark, this nearly half a million dollar grant will help provide relief to a department that has been hurt by budget cuts and layoffs. Tough economic conditionsare not an excuse to shortchange public safety,and we will keep fighting in Congress to make sure federal resources are available to help New Jersey's police officers and law enforcement."

"Even in these difficult economic times, the safety of our communities must be a top priority,"said Menendez."That's why it is important for us to continue making these federal investments in law enforcement agencies so that our first responders can be well-trained and well-equipped to carry out their jobs safely and effectively."

The Byrne JAG program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions.These awardswill providelocal agencies with fundsto purchase equipment and software for first responders. In Newark, this funding will build on a program that places uniformed officers in neighborhoods with high crime ratesand focuses resourcesonaddressingviolent crime. The complete list of awards is listed below:

City of Newark - $485,804

Hudson County - $308,023

Union County - $217,820

City of Trenton - $146,446

City of Atlantic City - $107,165

City of New Brunswick - $96,249

City of Vineland - $81,566

Neptune Township - $64,811

Lakewood Township - $40,143

Willingboro Township - $12,679

Gloucester County - $12,575

In June 2011, Lautenberg and Menendez joined Senate colleagues to writea lettertothe Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,Science,to support continued funding of the Byrne JAGprogram in the FY 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill, which is the source of the funding being announced today.

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