New Mexico Crime Prevention Gets Federal Boost

New Mexico may be getting a some much needed crime prevention assistance from the Federal Government now that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved its FY2008 funds to prevent crime and improve the New Mexico's crime prevention capabilities, this includes a quarter million dollars for upgrades to Albuquerque's public safety information system.

The almost fity-five billion dollar bill includes money for Albuquerque, which will be utilized to implement a comprehensive public information system that includes a new dispatch and mobile computing system, a law enforcement records management system, as well as an automated reporting system.

Money was also approved for several projects that are specifically aimed at preventing crime among New Mexico youth, including a half million dollars for the New Mexico Police Athletic League to run its Gang Prevention-Intervention program. The program interfaces with school systems, communities, and local law enforcement agencies to provide positive activities to deter those involved in gangs, or at risk of joining.

"These programs seek to intervene before the negative effects of gangs and drugs have had a chance to take hold. I commend their valuable work and will do all I can to ensure this funding is included in the FY2008 final spending package," U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici said.

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety will also receive one hundred thousand dollars in FY2008 funds for equipment to combat crystal meth use in New Mexico.