Assemblyman Calls for Stimulus Funds to Address Gang Problem in Monmouth County
Assemblyman Dave Rible today called for grant money from the federal stimulus package to be dedicated to gang prevention in Monmouth County.
New Jersey police departments will be provided with grants of nearly $48 million dollars in funds from the federal economic stimulus package. While $18 million will be allocated for specific departments, the remaining funds will be dispersed through grants by the Attorney General’s Office.
“Monmouth County currently suffers from a high number of gang related crimes and it is critical that we work to address the gang activity that is impacting our towns, ” said Rible. “Allocating funds from the stimulus bill to local police departments would help to control this problem and improve our communities.”
In letters sent to Congressmen Chris Smith, Frank Pallone and Rush Holt, the legislator wrote, “At a time when our state is facing a serious gang problem that has lead to an increase in violent crime and drug related activities, it is imperative that we take initiatives to address this crisis. Therefore, I am requesting that Monmouth County police departments be given consideration for grant money to fund gang prevention programs.”
According to a survey released by the New Jersey State Police, gang presence in the central region municipalities has increased most sharply in Monmouth County up 24 percentage points from 16% in 2004 to 40% in 2007.
“It is of the utmost importance that we protect our residents and police officers from gang activity, ” said Rible. “Designating our area for grants to fund gang initiatives will help keep our towns safe.”
Rible added, “Police departments with grant money would benefit gang prevention efforts in Monmouth County. For instance, if local police departments are receiving money to hire new police officers this will then enable them to send veteran members of the force to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office to assist them with their gang prevention initiatives.”
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May 20, 2009 - Addiego and Rudder Ask Attorney General to Help in County’s War on Gangs and Crime
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February 22, 2010
