Skip to main content

Representatives Lofgren and Honda Announce $3.6 Million in COPS Funding for First Responders

September 22, 2003

Media Contact: Christine Glunz, 202.225.3072

Washington, DC — Representatives Lofgren and Honda (D-San Jose) announced today that the City of San Jose will receive $3.6 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to develop integrated communications networks among emergency response agencies.

The grants will cover the purchase of communications equipment, enhancements to communications infrastructure, and project management expenses to integrate communications systems used by law enforcement, fire service, and emergency medical service agencies.

“These grants are a tremendous step in the right direction and will provide for much needed improvements in the safety and security of San Jose,” Rep. Lofgren said. “We rely on first responders to answer our urgent calls in emergency situations. Our police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel respond to the needs of our community and risk their lives for others. Making sure they have the tools to prepare for any type of crisis situation is essential.”

"The City of San Jose is a leader in innovation and good government," said Rep. Mike Honda. "I am pleased that San Jose is receiving $3.6 million to upgrade its communications infrastructure, so that police and firefighters are better able to respond to citizens as quickly as possible."

The grants were awarded under an Interoperable Communications Technology Grant program that is jointly administered by COPS and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). The city is required to provide a 25 percent match of the federal funds, which were capped at $6 million. COPS provides law enforcement agencies with an array of community policing training and technical assistance resources intended to increase their capacity to fight crime. COPS also funds the hiring of community policing officers.

Image
Back to top