Post from September 22, 2022

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the House passed several bipartisan public safety and police funding bills that would invest in local law enforcement departments and crime prevention to help make our communities safer.

“Each day law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” said Costa.“Police departments are struggling with stretched budgets and shrinking police forces to protect and serve our communities. We must fund – not defund the police, shortfalls will only endanger both the public and our officers. That is why I proudly voted for these bipartisan bills to ensure law enforcement has the resources and training they need to protect our Valley.”

The Invest to Protect Act would make targeted investments in local police departments and ensure those police officers in smaller communities across the country have the resources and training they need to keep themselves and their communities safe. Investments would be made in safety training, victim-centered response, officer recruitment and retention, mental health resources, and safety equipment.  

This bill would benefit local police departments that have 125 officers or fewer like the departments in the cities of Atwater, Chowchilla, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, Los Banos, Madera, and Merced. Costa is an original co-sponsor of the bill. 

In addition, the House passed the following bipartisan bills: 

•    H.R. 1368 - Mental Health Justice Act would create a grant program to allow states and local governments to hire mental health professionals to respond to behavioral health emergencies instead of the police. Costa is a co-sponsor of the bill.

•    H.R. 4118 - Break the Cycle of Violence Act would create a federal grant program for violence intervention programs and initiatives. Costa is a co-sponsor of the bill.

•    H.R. 5768 – VICTIM Act would establish a grant program within the Department of Justice to hire, train and retain detectives and victim services personnel to investigate homicides and non-fatal shootings. Costa endorsed this legislation through the New Democrat Coalition.

Costa took a lead role in advocating for funding and resources for law enforcement agencies, especially smaller departments. He has consistently called on House leadership to bring the bipartisan, bicameral Invest to Protect Act and other public safety legislation for a vote on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

A fact sheet on the Invest to Protect Act is available here.

Original source can be found here.