U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) has secured federal dollars to help local law enforcement fight crime and combat the meth epidemic as part of a funding bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee. The final bill must pass the House and Senate before it can be signed into law.
“It is critical that local law enforcement gets the tools they need to protect our community,” said Larsen. “As Congress moves forward with the appropriations process, I will continue working to deliver needed resources for local law enforcement and local initiatives to fight drugs and crime.”
In the Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill which passed the Appropriations Committee this week, Larsen secured:
$1.1 million for the Washington State Meth Initiative “The Washington State Meth Initiative is thrilled with the $1.1 million House funding amount and very much appreciates Congressman Larsen’s leadership to make it happen,” said Terree Schmidt-Whelan of the Washington State Meth Initiative. “It is our congressional leaders who make funding possible so that effective and blended community-based multi-disciplinary methamphetamine programs and strategies continue.”
$50,000 to purchase new equipment for the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force “This type of federal funding is crucial for local drug task forces to keep up with the escalating illicit drug threat we are facing,” said Pat Slack, Commander of the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force.
$25,000 for the Skagit County Drug Enforcement Unit “If this money is approved it will be a huge benefit to our unit and subsequently for the citizens of Skagit County,” said Will Reichardt, Chief Criminal Deputy for the Skagit County Sheriff's Office about the funding for Skagit County. “Our plan is to purchase some much-needed surveillance equipment that will allow us to track suspects and monitor their activities at night. We also plan to purchase some portable radios that will have an encrypted tactical channel that will greatly enhance officer safety. With the cuts in our Byrne grants, this money will go a long way in keeping our task force a viable and effective unit that can really make a difference in the drug problems in Skagit County.”
In addition, Larsen secured:
$80,000 to purchase and install additional laptops and software for the Island County Sheriff’s Office to use in their patrol cars; and
$295,000 to expand and improve information sharing between Whatcom County law enforcement agencies through the Whatcom Exchange Network (WENET).