WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced almost $2.5 million in funding for projects throughout the state, including $60,000 for East Helena Community Policing Hiring Efforts. Funding was included by the House Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee for Fiscal Year 2010.

“Montanans enjoy a unique quality of life, and one of the best ways to help preserve that is by helping to keep our families safe and our communities free from crime,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “As the community of East Helena continues to grow, the dedicated police force there has identified a critical need for an additional officer. I’m proud to support this request.”

Funds will be used to hire a fifth full time Police Officer for the City of East Helena. As populations grows in East Helena, so too is the crime rate. The current police force is overextended, which results in officer fatigue which leads to a high rate of turnover. That, ultimately, undermines the ability of the police force to do it’s job for the people of East Helena.

“From the beginning I felt that Congressman Rehberg knows how the small agencies in Montana are struggling to provide adequate police protection with limited resources,” said Dale Aschim, East Helena’s Chief of Police. “This would be a shot in the arm for the East Helena Police Department and its citizens of East Helena.”