WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) voted to pass a robust public safety package to prevent crime, save lives, and advance justice. Together, the four bills address the growing needs of local law enforcement agencies and rebuild trust between communities and police.
“Today, I voted to provide police departments in the Fifth District with robust funding and training to keep themselves and our communities safe while also addressing the root causes of crime through intervention programs and mental health supports. This package builds upon the historic progress we have forged this Congress to ensure the safety of children and families. I remain fully committed to improving public safety and building trust within our communities,” said Congresswoman Hayes.
The package includes:
- The Invest to Protect Act to make targeted investments in local police departments with fewer than 125 officers, ensuring police officers in smaller communities have the resources and training necessary to keep themselves and their communities safe. These investments include funds for training, body cameras, mental health supports, recruitment, and retention.
- The Break the Cycle of Violence Act to provide federal grants to communities for evidence-based community violence intervention and prevention programs designed to interrupt cycles of violence.
- The Mental Health Justice Act to allow states and local governments to train and dispatch mental health professionals to respond, instead of law enforcement officers, to emergencies that involve people with behavioral health needs.
- The Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act to establish a grant program at the Department of Justice to help State, Tribal, and local enforcement agencies improve their clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings.
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