Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Federal cuts hit local law enforcement

By DAN SPRINGER / La Crosse Tribune

The federal budget that was recently signed into law included some disappointing news for two La Crosse County law enforcement agencies and a regional drug enforcement task force.

The budget includes a 67 percent cut in the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, which funds a variety of state and local anti-crime programs.

Ryan Sugden, public affairs officer with the state Office of Justice Assistance, said the state will see a cut of $4.3 million in funding in the coming year.

The La Crosse area is set to lose $41,400 of critical justice funding, Sugden said.

In 2007, the La Crosse Police Department and La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department split $22,607 from the Byrne/JAG program and $39,269 went to the multi-county West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group Drug Task Force.

La Crosse police Capt. Rob Abraham said the program is often placed on the chopping block, so LCPD seldom relies on the funding for crucial programs.

“We normally use it to purchase equipment for operations, keep equipment upgraded, purchase things like radar units or light bars and things like that,” Abraham said. “The sheriff’s office has used the money in the same way.”

Abraham said it’s nice when the city can get grant money, even though the agency annually takes in about $500,000 in state and federal grants.

Because the La Crosse Police Department operates the Midwest Gang Related Education and Training site, the department takes in a considerable amount of money for that operation, Abraham said.

“We also get money for things like the local GREAT program, JAG grants, (Department of Transportation) grants, Domestic Abuse Response grants and other specialized enforcement grants from the state,” Abraham said. “The city grant writer has been helpful to us in helping us write and land different grants.”

The West Central MEG Drug Task Force covers operations in La Crosse, Jackson, Monroe, Trempealeau and Vernon counties, Sugden said.

Dan Springer can be reached at dspringer@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8269.