CONGRESSMAN GONZALEZ ANNOUNCES OVER $3.6 MILLION FOR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO HIRE OFFICERS, CONTINUE PROTECTING SOUTH TEXAS

MCALLEN, TEXAS – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that three local police departments will be receiving, in total, $3,656,029 from the Department of Justice through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program.

"The Rio Grande Valley is one of the safest regions in the country thanks to the efforts of our local law enforcement," stated Congressman Gonzalez. "Local police officers work tirelessly to protect and serve our communities, serving as a model for departments across the country. I am proud to announce this funding from U.S. Department of Justice to ensure local police departments can hire more officers and keep our communities safe."

The funding amounts for each department are:

· $1,875,000 for the City of McAllen to hire 15 officers

· $1,000,000 for the City of Edinburg to hire 8 officers

· $781,029 for the City of Alton to hire 5 officers

The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers and deputies to enhance their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.

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