RAHALL FAULTS WHITE HOUSE OVER COPS FUNDING

The Bush administration is trying to emasculate COPS, even with the
program's success in fighting domestic crime and combating terrorists, Rep.
Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., said Wednesday.

Rahall complained the White House is attempting to eliminate funding in the
new budget for hiring initiatives, and, if successful, the administration
will gut the program.

"If this administration gets its way and cuts funding for the hiring
initiatives of COPS, the program will not be able to put more new officers
on the streets," Rahall said.

The Bush administration erased funding for the hiring component of COPS,
although Rahall and others in Congress wanted at least $407 million to put
more officers on the payroll.

Rahall's 17-county district has shared more than $11 million in COPS grants
since 1994, allowing southern West Virginia cities and towns to hire 210
extra officers and sheriff's deputies. Crime-fighting technologies
accounted for $552,960 of the amount.

Rahall said the program has proved its worth by recruiting more officers,
making it tougher for international terrorists to engage in mischief.

What's more, with the rising alarm over methamphetamine labs in rural
pockets, Rahall said additional manpower is needed.

"Our local officers are on the front line in our fight against
methamphetamine and other drugs," the 3rd District congressman said.

"We need officers on the street to help stop the spread of these drugs and
help protect our neighborhoods."

Drugs aren't the only concern, however, Rahall said.

Given constant warnings by the Department of Homeland Security, he said,
"West Virginians know that they themselves could be prone to a terrorist
attack and everyone who lives in our mountains and valleys should be
prepared to spot trouble when they see it."

"Of course, more cops on the streets and better technologies for our
courageous police officers would make everybody safer," Rahall said.

"That is why I don't understand why this administration continues to warn
us of possible attacks while it insists on gutting a program, the COPS
program, which specifically confronts these threats by putting more police
officers on streets."