FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jordan Karp, 733-1400
October 31, 2008
ARCURI ENDORSED BY LOCAL POLICE ORGANIZATIONS
Utica, NY -- Today, Congressman Mike Arcuri's campaign for re-election was endorsed by a number of local police benevolent associations (PBAs), including the Utica PBA, Whiteboro PBA, and Yorkville PBA.
"As a former District Attorney, I know what it takes to keep our streets safe and I've been working hard over the last two years to get local law enforcement the resources they need to fight crime," said Arcuri.
Arcuri was joined by Utica PBA President Tom Brady and Treasurer Steven Brucker, Yorkville PBA member Pat Collea, Whitesboro PBA member Pat O’Connor. Arcuri has also been endorsed by the Police Conference of New York, the Northeast Police Conference, and the Upstate New York Police Conference.
In Congress, Arcuri has sponsored the Providing Electronic Resources and Prosecutors Act (H.R. 3568), which would provide $20 million in federal grants over 4 years to hire additional prosecutors and upgrade crime fighting technology. That legislation became part of the Gang Prevention, Intervention, and Suppression Act, which would increase and improve law enforcement resources committed to the investigation and prosecution of violent gangs.
Arcuri has also co-sponsored the SAFER NET Act, which would coordinate and streamline a national defense against Internet crime. He also cosponsored the Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators, H.R. 719, which would impose harsh penalties for criminals who lie about their age online to prey upon young children. Both bills passed the House of Representatives by bipartisan majorities.
Earlier this year, Arcuri also guided legislation through the House which included $725 million for the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Program. Since 1994, the COPS program has allowed police departments in the 24th congressional district to hire 201 police officers and/or sheriff's deputies through over $15 million in grants.
Below, please find a copy of Utica PBA President Tom Brady’s remarks:
Good afternoon. My name is Tom Brady and I am the President of the Utica PBA. I’m here today along with my fellow brothers and Sisters in law enforcement and we are here to give not only our organizations endorsements but It is also our pleasure to stand here today as a spokesmen and women for the Police Conference of New York, (PCNY) the Northeast Police Conference and the Upstate Police Conference of New York as we announce our support for a friend, who has not only been a leader but someone who has made a difference in all of our lives for more than 15 years, that man is Congressman Michael Arcuri.
As the Oneida County DA, Mike Arcuri was our partner in keeping the community a safe place to live and raise a family. I’m proud to tell you that in the two years that he has been in Washington as our Congressman, he has kept that commitment alive and strong. Mike Arcuri has the passion and experience to fight for law enforcement and their families. His unwavering support for us is why we are endorsing him today.
Mike Arcuri has been a strong voice on critical pieces of legislation important to law enforcement, and I will touch on a few. First, the COPS program. In his first year in office, Arcuri guided legislation through the House which included $725 million for the Community Oriented Policing Program. Since 1994, the COPS program has allowed police departments in the 24th congressional district to hire an additional 201 police officers and/or sheriff's deputies through $15,180,133 in grants. The bill also contained critical increases in funding for the Weed and Seed program. Mike Arcuri cosponsored the bipartisan COPS Reauthorization Act, passed by the House of Representatives.
To help local communities combat gang violence, Mike Arcuri sponsored the Providing Electronic Resources and Prosecutors Act, which would reduce violent crime through federal grants to hire additional prosecutors and upgrade crime fighting technology. The bill, H.R. 3568 was included in the Gang Prevention, Intervention, and Suppression Act, which would increase and improve law enforcement resources committed to the investigation and prosecution of violent gangs.
This is a critical election for all law enforcement and their families. They have a critical choice to make: do we vote for Mike Arcuri, who has fought for us for years and is on our side, or do we vote for someone who has no experience on the issues that are important to us. That’s why we are supporting Mike Arcuri. Thank you.
###
