The Peru Gazette

WASHINGTON—Today Congressman Bill Owens announced new funding allocations for local law enforcement agencies through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) state and local preparedness grant program for Fiscal Year 2014. OPSG provides funding to support operational preparedness along the northern and southern U.S. borders and to improve coordination among Federal, state, territorial and local law enforcement agencies.

This allocation includes $102,392 for organizations in Jefferson County, $103,860 in Clinton County, $103,860 in Franklin County and $101,613 in St. Lawrence County.

“This funding will give emergency preparedness officials and first responders the necessary support to ensure North Country border communities are safe,” said Owens. “With significant rising demand at our region’s border crossings and land ports, this funding will encourage legitimate trade and tourism while preventing illegal trafficking, keeping local communities secure and economies growing.”

Congressman Owens sits on the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee which oversees funding allocations. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus and has led numerous efforts to create a safer, smarter northern border. Owens previously proposed legislation (H.R. 4747) to increase the penalty for people caught trafficking through tribal lands, and (H.R. 4748) to improve coordination between the Office of National Drug Control Policy and DHS.

Law enforcement agencies in New York’s northern border communities have received funding through the OPSG program since 2008.