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	Press Releases June 16, 2003   DODD, LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE $24 MILLION FOR CONNECTICUT FIRST RESPONDERS, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Senators also announce COPS grants to state, towns of Clinton and Stratford   Washington, DC– Connecticut will be receiving over $24 million in federal grants for the hiring and training of police and other first responders, and for critical infrastructure protection, Senators Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., announced today. In a visit to the Clinton Police Department, the senators announced $22 million in DHS grants for first responders, and $2.25 million for Community Oriented Policing Services. In addition, the town of Clinton and the Stratford Police Department will receive $150,000 each for the COPS program. “A rising threat level isn’t the only thing that goes up during times of need: anxiety and the cost of security increase as well,” said Dodd. “This assistance can help lessen both by ensuring that our state is better protected and more secure. It is a step in the right direction but clearly more needs to be done to help Connecticut’s law enforcement and first responders keep people in our state safer from the threat of terrorism. They deserve no less than our full and total support.” “With this funding, our first responders can work to ensure that the first decade of the 21st Century is one in which Connecticut can continue to bring down crime and tackle terrorism with focus, urgency, and resolve,” said Lieberman. “However, we must continue to work for more funding because our men and women in blue are still swimming upstream against a tide of red ink.” The US Department of Homeland Security awarded more than $21 million to the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security, to enhance the capability of state and local agencies to prevent and respond to terrorism and to protect critical infrastructure, such as public water systems, highway tunnels, and power plants. In a separate grant award, the Department of Justice COPS awarded the Connecticut Department of Public Safety more than $2 million, the town of Clinton $150,000, and the Stratford Police Department $150,000 in hiring grants to “allow law enforcement agencies to help pay for the salary and benefits to hire additional sworn officers to perform community policing and homeland security activities.” $21 Million for Critical Infrastructure and First Responder Preparedness $18, 974,000 is allocated for state and local first responders for equipment, training, and exercise needs. $ 2,919,000 will go toward Connecticut’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Allotment. At least 50% of this funding must be provided to local communities. The money will be used to reimburse public safety agencies for increased overtime costs, security personnel costs, and National Guard deployment. Recipients eligible to receive funds include state, local and tribal governments as well as quasi-municipal utilities. Some areas of focus for critical infrastructure protection include: Public water systems serving large population centers Primary data storage and processing facilities, major stock exchanges and major banking centers Chemical facilities located in close proximity to large population centers Major power generation facilities Hydroelectric facilities and dams Nuclear Power plants Rail and highway bridges over major waterways Major highway tunnels Major natural gas transmission Natural Gas and liquid Natural Gas Storage facilities Major petroleum handling facilities Major mass transit subway systems and the supporting ventilation systems $2.5 million for COPS Hiring Grants to Law Enforcement Agencies The Universal Hiring Program is intended to increase the number of officers on the beat Grants will be made for up to 75% of total salary and benefits of each officer over 3 years, up to $75,000 per officer $150,000 each for Clinton, CT and the Stratford Police Department   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 June 2003 Press Releases May   |  July   --   2002   |  2004     June 30 - Lieberman, Cantwell Take Federal Energy Regulators to Task for Wall Street Phone Calls   June 29 - Lieberman Hails Independent Report on Homeland Security Funding for Confirming Bush Administration's Inadequate Commitment   June 27 - Lieberman Co-Sponsors Legislation to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King with Congressional Gold Medal   June 23 - Lieberman Investigation Leads to Over $50 million for California Ratepayers   June 17 - Lieberman Works for Cities and Counties, Hike in Homeland Security Funding   June 16 - Lieberman Praises Supreme Court Decision on Corporate Contributions   June 16 - Lieberman Says Homeland Security IG Report on Texas Flap is Inadequate   June 16 current Press Release   June 13 - Lieberman Requests Immediate Re-Evaluation of Department of Education Revisions   June 11 - Lieberman Joins in Introducing Domestic Partnership Benefits for Gay and Lesbian Federal Employees   June 11 - Dodd, Lieberman Announce $2 Million to Protect Connecticut Ports   June 9 - More Flaws Found in Bidding on Iraqi Reconstruction Contracts   June 8 - Lieberman Asks for Details of Delay, Other Contacts with White House on Texas Redistricting Dispute   June 5 - Lieberman Demands Explanation From Treasury For Suppressing Long-term Budget Analysis
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