U.S. House of Representatives Law Enforcement Caucus
Meetings - 110th Congress
September 24, 2008: The Copper Theft Prevention Act
Summary
Since 2006, metal theft has been on the rise largely due to the surge in the global demand for scrap metal. The price of copper has risen from about 83 cents per pound in 2000 to more than $4 per pound in 2008. Tight supplies have lead to an increase in copper recycling, which, in turn, has created a market for used copper and has made copper an attractive target for theft. Law enforcement agencies around the country have seen copper stolen from utility substation transformers, utility poles, railroad signaling wire, telecommunications networks, and foreclosed homes. The stolen copper is sold to scrap metal yards. These thefts interrupt important services by cutting off power supply to homes and buildings and disrupt critical 911 emergency phone services.
The Law Enforcement Caucus held a briefing for Congressional Staff to discuss copper theft, how it impacts businesses and individuals throughout the country, and the Copper Theft Prevention Act (H.R. 6831) which Co-Chairs of the Law Enforcement Caucus, Reps. Bart Stupak and Jim Ramstad, introduced to provide law enforcement officers the tools they need to investigate copper theft crimes.
Speakers
- Bryan Jacobs – Executive Director, Coalition Against Copper Theft
- Charlie McCrudden – Director of Government Relations, Air Conditioning Contractors of America
- Michael Lynch – Chief Security Officer, DTE Energy
- Dennis Goode – CEO, M. Copper Supply Co. (American Supply Association Member)
Contacts
- Coalition Against Copper Theft: http://www.coppercoalition.com
- Air Conditioning Contractors of America: http://www.acca.org
- American Supply Association: http://www.asa.net
February 27, 2008: Fiscal Year 2008 Byrne-JAG Funding
Summary
The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program directly supports state and local law enforcement agencies in combating violent crime and the spread of illegal drugs. Unfortunately, as a result of budget restrictions imposed by President Bush, funding for the Byrne-JAG program was cut by two-thirds, from $520 million in Fiscal Year 2007 to $170.4 million in Fiscal Year 2008, in the final Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The Law Enforcement Caucus, in conjunction with the Meth Caucus and Drug Policy Caucus, held a briefing for Congressional Staff to discuss the effects the Fiscal Year 2008 funding cuts will have on this critically important program which helps keep our communities safe.
Click here to read a letter, signed by over 200 Members of Congress, to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader John Boehner, Chairman David Obey, and Ranking Member Jerry Lewis requesting that the U.S. House of Representatives appropriate emergency funding of at least $429.6 million for the Byrne-JAG program.Speakers
- Sheriff Michael Bouchard (Oakland Co., MI) – President, Major County Sheriffs' Association
- Ron Brooks – President, National Narcotics Officers’ Association Coalition
- David Steingraber – President, National Criminal Justice Association
- Tavaun Green (Alexandria, VA) – 12 year old student and participant of the iMentor Program
Contacts
- National Sheriffs' Association: http://www.sheriffs.org
- National Narcotics Officers’ Association Coalition: http://www.natlnarc.org
- National Criminal Justice Association: http://www.ncja.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
October 24, 2007: DEA, Meth, and an Aging Communications System
Summary
The Law Enforcement Caucus, in conjunction with the Congressional Meth Caucus, educated Members and Congressional Staff on the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and its aging commutations system. The DEA has the oldest equipment of all Department of Justice law enforcement agencies, with 81 percent of mobile radios and 75 percent of the radio infrastructure at least 14 years old. DEA agents cannot always rely on their radios to work and in some cases are faced with a choice between communicating on a non-encrypted frequency that their targets can listen to, and not communicating at all.
Speakers
James Craig, Drug Enforcement Assistant Administrator for Operational Support. Mr. Craig provided an overview of the DEA’s current communications system, the challenges facing DEA agents in combating meth and other drugs, and how Congress could help.
Contacts
Click here to link to the Assistant Administrator's biography.
Click here to link to the Drudge Enforcement Administration.
May 16, 2007: Future of the COPS Program
Summary
The Law Enforcement Caucus led a discussion with local government leaders and law enforcement professionals about the future of the Community Orientated Policing Services (COPS) program. The COPS program has put more police officers on the streets to fight violent crime and drug, supporting the hiring of over 105,000 officers since its inception in 1994. In recent years, funding for this program has declined from its 1997 high and its mission has shifted away from direct officer hiring. These changes have had a huge impact on law enforcement officers and local governments in districts across the nation.
Speakers
- Mayor Tom Barrett – Milwaukee, WI
- Sheriff Ted Kamatchus – Marshall County, Iowa, National Sheriffs' Association
- Chief Doug Holland – President, Maryland Chiefs of Police Association
- Gene Voegtlin – Legislative Counsel, International Association of Chiefs of Police
- Rick Fulginiti – National Trustee, Fraternal Order of Police
Contacts
Links to the law enforcement organizations that spoke at the meeting:
- National Sheriffs' Association: http://www.sheriffs.org
- National Association of Police Organizations: http://www.napo.org
- International Association of Chiefs of Police: http://www.theiacp.org
- Fraternal Order of Police: http://www.grandlodgefop.org
March 26, 2007: Byrne-JAG Program
Summary
The Law Enforcement Caucus held a briefing for Congressional Staff on the Byrne Justice Assistant Grant (JAG) program to discuss the development of and the recent changes in the Byrne-JAG program as well as the importance of justice assistance funding to local law enforcement agencies. Since its inception, the Byrne-JAG program has been a critical resource for local law enforcement professionals fighting against drugs, preventing crime, and improving public safety in our communities.
Speakers
- Nathan James – Analyst in Domestic Social Policy, Congressional Research Service
- Ann Yom – Director of Government Affairs, National Sheriffs’ Association
- Andy Mournighan – Director of Government Affairs, National Association of Police Organizations
Contacts
Links to the law enforcement organizations that spoke at the meeting:
- National Sheriffs' Association: http://www.sheriffs.org
- National Association of Police Organizations: http://www.napo.org
