CRIME GRANTS: FED MONEY NECESSARY

Grant money and federal stimulus money can have a backlash by morphing
into local taxpayer money. Because, what happens when the grant and
stimulus money runs out? Then, either more money has to be found or
the program eliminated.

In a proactive move, local law-enforcement agencies are seeking a $5
million federal grant to beef up their strength in the fight against
border crime.

As noted at a recent City Council meeting, some 30,000 Juarenses have
moved to El Paso since the start of the ongoing Juarez drug war. As
noted, it's unclear who these people are, and who may have followed
them.

That was the particular subject when the El Paso Police Department
said there was a need for M4 assault rifles. The OK was given to use
federal money for such a purchase.

Now the EPPD, Sheriff's Office and police in Socorro and Horizon City
have joined in the $5 million request to pay for police overtime and
for extra patrols to combat drug smuggling, gangs, money laundering,
auto thefts or other crimes occurring along our border. The money
would come from the Department of Homeland Security.

Assistant Police Chief Jerome Johnson said none of the money would be
used for immigration enforcement.

This is equipment and money that will help keep us safe; we can be
proud we yearly rank among the safest large cities in the nation. And
since the drug cartels have assault rifles, so should our law enforcers.

But as was pointed out with the rifle grant, there is also the cost of
training officers to use that type of weapon. There is also the cost
of ammunition for the needed practice time and for
maintenance.

If the $5 million is granted, it will be a gamble of sorts that the
money doesn't run out before the violence abates and the fear of
actual physical drug-war spillover is no more.

Because of our situation, grant and stimulus money to protect citizens
is needed. It's the federal government's job to secure the nation's
borders. It's good that it's federal money being used as a booster for
locally generated law-enforcement budgets.

We can only hope that this doesn't turn into endeavors using local
taxpayer money.