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Public safety programs have been hit hard both on the local and state levels because of declining revenues and the national recession. But, thanks to the Recovery Act, over 1,000 public safety jobs have been saved right here in the state to keep Kansans safe and secure.
As Democratic Governor Mark Parkinson announced today:
“Public safety is a top priority for my administration...with the justice grants contained in the Recovery Act, more than 1,000 public safety employees won’t have to be furloughed, and more than a hundred won’t be laid off. Not only is this stemming the rising tide of unemployment – it’s keeping the streets of Kansas safe.”
Today we heard great news in the lower unemployment numbers. Now it's great to see concrete examples of the Recovery Act being used to put Kansans back to work.
More below...
In a press release, the Governor's office says twenty-seven state and local agencies will be receiving over $11 millions dollars in grants over the next two years. Here's were some of that money will go:
Franklin County // City of Ottawa Police Department // $163,622
Harvey County // City of Newton Police Department // $65,895
Pawnee County // Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility // $213,328
Sedgwick County // Kechi Police Department // $57,870
Statewide // Attorney General’s Office // $400,000
Statewide // Kansas Bureau of Investigation // $818,694
Statewide // Kansas Department of Corrections // $5,228,623
Statewide // Kansas Highway Patrol // $981,568
Shawnee County // Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex // $544,442
Statewide // Juvenile Justice Authority // $1,000,000
Statewide // Kansas Supreme Court // $830,557
Statewide // Board of Indigents’ Defense Services // $1,000,000
Statewide // 15 Community Corrections Agencies // $229,526
Specifically, here's what some of the Recovery money will pay for:
Ottawa Police Department will reinstate the School Resource Officer at Ottawa High School. The Officer is the school’s primary law enforcement officer, performing activities such as patrolling the school campus, investigating criminal activity and traffic accidents, and educating students and staff about crime prevention.
Kansas Highway Patrol will purchase equipment for Troopers in the north central and western portion of the state with Mobile Data Units. The Units provide the officers with more expedited information while in the field when responding to criminal and traffic violations.
Funds for the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex will retain seven Juvenile Correctional Officers.
State Board of Indigent Defense Services will maintain Public Defender positions, who provide a cost effective method of meeting the Constitutional right to counsel to indigent persons accused of felonies.
If you’d like to learn more about the new initiatives happening in Kansas because of the Recovery Act, head over to: http://www.governor.ks.gov/...