Law enforcement officers play an important role in our everyday lives from responding to emergencies to preventing crime and making our community a safe place to live. As a former District Attorney, I understand the need for law enforcement to have the tools necessary to do their job. The men and women in law enforcement are a major reason why North Alabama is such a great place to live, and I will remain attentive to their needs and concerns.
- Continue support for law enforcement resources: I continue to support funding for the Byrne Grant program and the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Grant programs. These programs are critical sources of funding for law enforcement technology, and other tools needed to better serve communities afflicted with meth related crimes. The Administration attempted to zero out these programs in previous years, but I have stood with other Members of Congress to continue funding these crucial law enforcement grant programs. Communities like ours have had great success through these programs and I will continue to fight to see North Alabama have the opportunity to continue to utilize them in the future.
- Leadership in confronting the Meth epidemic: A methamphetamine addiction is plaguing our community, our state, and our country unlike any other drug epidemic I have seen. Meth is easy to make, and a highly addictive drug that causes extensive and permanent damage.
When I was the District Attorney in Madison County, I saw first hand the effects of drug abuse on its users and our community. Since I was elected to Congress, I have tried to use my position to learn more about meth, to further promote the dangers associated with meth and to provide additional resources to enforcement agencies throughout North Alabama.
I have hosted a number of meth roundtables where law enforcement, Alabama Department of Human Resources officials, district attorneys, community members, and hospitality industry professionals have been assembled to discuss how to fight the meth problem in our area.
I am a member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine. This bipartisan Caucus works to raise national awareness of the dangers associated with the abuse and production of meth.
I am a cosponsor of numerous bills that would provide additional resources and support to enforcement officials across the country. One particular bill, the Combat Meth Act, became law in January 2006 as part of the Patriot Act. This piece of legislation authorizes $99 million over 5 years to provide training to State and local prosecutors and law enforcement agents for investigation and prosecution of methamphetamine offenses, including a set-aside for prosecutors and law enforcement agents for rural communities.
2008 Law Enforcement Press Releases from Representative Cramer:
