Chet Edwards For Congress

Cleburne Times-Review: House committee appropriates $350K for STOP task force

Cleburne Times-Review

June 15, 2009
Special to the Times-Review

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee agreed to fund $350,000 to the Johnson County Stop the Offender Special Crimes Unit and other county law-enforcement agencies on Tuesday, said U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

Edwards said he secured the funding in the 2010 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill, which passed the committee on Tuesday.

STOP will use the money to crack down on drug crime and improve communications technology, Edwards said.

The bill must still pass the House and Senate and be signed by President Barack Obama, however.

STOP SCU will receive $200,000 in funding if the bill passes. STOP SCU, an undercover joint law-enforcement effort, operates to stop the spread of drugs and other crime in the county. If the bill becomes law, Edwards will have secured $688,000 for the program since 2005, he said.

“These funds will help our law-enforcement officers continue their work to arrest drug dealers, and send a clear message that drug crime will not be tolerated in Johnson County,” Edwards said.

Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford applauded Edwards’ efforts.

“I greatly appreciate Congressman Edwards and his staff for all the hard work that went into obtaining this funding,” Alford said. “We will utilize this funding in a fiscally responsible manner for the purpose of exposing and apprehending those who engage in organized and violent crime as well as those trafficking in illegal narcotics.

“The Special Crimes Unit of Johnson County has become an essential tool that complements other law-enforcement efforts and has proven to have a positive impact on the quality of life of our law-abiding citizens.”

STOP Commander Adam King also called the funding crucial.

“This funding will allow us to continue supporting our local law enforcement agencies with specialized investigative assistance and will allow us to do so in a safe and effective manner,” King said. “We owe Congressman Edwards and his staff a big thank you for their support.”

The remaining $150,000 of the funding will benefit the Cleburne police and fire departments, Edwards said.

The funds will be used for installation of a wireless network to improve communication technology and to better access critical records.

The network may also be used by other city departments and will allow patrol officers to have quicker responses to calls, increase the time officers are actually in their vehicles on the streets and increase officer safety by providing instant access to information, Edwards said.

“During these difficult economic times, Congressman Edwards has continued to provide support to our community,” said CPD Chief Terry Powell. “The enhanced technology will allow for more efficient police service to the citizens of Cleburne.”