(Starke County, IN) Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly announced that the US House of Representatives approved his requests for federal funding in the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill on behalf of the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and the North Judson Police Department.

The committee appropriated $150,000 for the Starke County Sheriff’s Department to purchase interoperable communication equipment that would allow the county to join the statewide communication system, Project Hoosier SAFE-T. This system is designed for fully interoperable voice and data communication systems between law enforcement jurisdictions.

“In today’s world, effective communications are essential for successful law enforcement,” Donnelly said. “The purchase of interoperable communication equipment for the Starke County Sheriff’s Department would not only make the jobs of our law enforcement officers easier, it would also make our communities in Starke County safer places to live.”

Also in the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, the committee appropriated $60,000 for the North Judson Police Department. The funding would fully equip one patrol vehicle with lighting, a siren and other necessary security equipment and allow for the purchase of a Motorola mobile data computer for each of the department’s patrol cars.

“As more advanced technology becomes available to us, we have the opportunity to improve our public services and cut down on wasted time and resources,” Donnelly said. “Investing in these mobile data recorders will allow officers quick and easy access to data, improve communications and record-keeping and save time for those entrusted with securing our neighborhoods.”

The House of Representatives has finished its initial consideration of each of the 12 appropriations bills that would fund the agencies and operations of the federal government for Fiscal Year 2008.  The spending bills are now pending before the Senate.  In order for them to become law, the Senate and House must pass identical bills, and if that does not happen, a compromise negotiated between the House and Senate called a “conference report” must be voted on by both bodies.  Each appropriations bill must then be signed into law by the president.

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