N.M. Congressional Democrats Deliver Over $22.8 Million In Federal Funding For N.M. To Prevent Crime, Increase Safety

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) announced a total of $22,840,294 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that was supported by the lawmakers in the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act. These federal investments will support community solutions to prevent crime, increase public safety, provide services for victims of violent crime, and enhance Tribal services.

“Every New Mexican deserves to feel safe. That’s why I fought so hard to pass major gun reform legislation earlier this year. And it’s why I’m proud to deliver this federal funding for proven solutions that will prevent crime and make our communities safer,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. “Until we all feel safe in our homes and neighborhoods, I will keep working to secure funding for effective, community-driven solutions.”

“Communities in New Mexico look out for one another,” said Luján. “That’s why I’m proud to welcome these federal investments to support community led solutions to increase public safety, support victims, and prevent crimes. Community-led solutions will prioritize New Mexicans and address the root cause of crime to ensure a safe and protected New Mexico.”

“Every New Mexican should feel safe, which is why I am working hard in Congress to secure the federal resources that we need,” said Stansbury. “I’m proud that the over $22 million in funding we’re announcing today will send vital resources to our State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies, prevent violence, help address the crisis of violence against Indigenous women and relatives, and help fund our court systems. I will continue working with our delegation to bring more public safety resources home to New Mexico.”

“This funding will help our communities bolster their public safety programs and improve the lives of Nuevo Mexicanos,” said Leger Fernández. “I’m especially pleased by the funding for tribal governments to prevent sexual assault and violence against women. When we invest in our comunidades and do a better job of preventing and responding to crime, we invest in a better future.”

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Funding 

DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is delivering a total of $6,338,500 in federal funding to support local efforts to purchase of equipment and technology, hire additional law enforcement officers, and promote school safety. These investments are a result of funding included in the FY22 Consolidated Appropriations Act and passed into law by New Mexico Congressional Democrats. For more information on the projects secured by New Mexico Congressional Democrats click here.

COPS Technology and Equipment Program (TEP): 

• $1,471,000 and $435,000 for the City of Albuquerque
• $1,000,000 for Rio Arriba County
• $866,000 and $379,000 for Sandoval County
• $575,000 for the City of Carlsbad
• $350,000 for Dona Ana County

Funding under TEP is provided for congressionally directed spending projects designed to develop and acquire effective equipment, technologies, and interoperable communications that assist in responding to and preventing crime.

COPS Hiring Program (CHP): 

• $375,000 for the City of Rio Rancho to hire three officers.
• $250,000 to help the City of Clovis to hire two officers.

CHP grants provide 75% of the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits of each newly hired and/or rehired full-time officer for three years, up to $125,000 per officer position, to be expended over a five-year grant period.

COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP): 

• $375,000 for Raton Municipal School District 11
• $262,500 for the City of Farmington

The COPS Office will provide funding for coordination with law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence against others and self; metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; and other measures providing a significant improvement in security.

Office of Violence Against Women Funding 

The DOJ’s Office of Violence Against Women is awarding a total of $4,178,078 to several New Mexico entities. These investments are a result of funding included in the FY22 Consolidated Appropriations Act and passed into law by New Mexico Congressional Democrats.

The Indian Tribal Governments Program: 

• $1,000,000 to the Mescalero Apache Tribe
• $999,306 to Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
• $868,098 to the Pueblo of Nambe

The Indian Tribal Governments Program assists Tribal governments and authorized designees of Tribal governments to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking in their communities.

The Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program: 

• $375,000 to Casa Fortaleza in Albuquerque
• $299,920 to Enlace Comunitario in Albuquerque

The Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program supports culturally specific community-based organizations in addressing the critical needs of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking victims in a manner that affirms a victim’s culture.

Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program: 

• $299,999 for the University of New Mexico

This program encourages a comprehensive coordinated community approach that enhances victim safety, provides services for victims, and supports efforts to hold offenders accountable. The funding supports activities that develop and strengthen trauma informed victim services and strategies to prevent, investigate, and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

The Tribal Coalitions Program: 

• $335,755 to the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women

This program helps increase awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault against Native women; enhance the response to violence against Native women at the federal, state, and Tribal levels; identify and provide technical assistance to coalition membership and Tribal communities to enhance access to essential services to Native women victimized by domestic and sexual violence, including sex trafficking; and assist Tribes in developing and promoting state, local, and Tribal legislation and policies that enhance best practices for responding to violent crimes against Native women, including the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking.

Office of Justice Programs 

The DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs is awarding Tribes in New Mexico a total of $4,206,437. These investments are a result of funding included in the FY22 Consolidated Appropriations Act and passed into law by New Mexico Congressional Democrats.

Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Grant Program: 

• $873,297 for the Pueblo of Pojoaque
• $609,751 for the Pueblo of Zuni
• $609,751 for the Pueblo of Santa Clara
• $504,456 for the Pueblo of Acoma
• $504,456 for the Pueblo of Isleta
• $410,246 for the Pueblo of Nambe
• $347,240 for the Pueblo of Santa Ana
• $347,240 for the Pueblo of Zia

This funding from the Office for Victims of Crime will help Tribes improve services for victims of crime.

The DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is awarding local government entities in New Mexico a total of $2,909,476. These investments are a result of funding included in the FY22 Consolidated Appropriations Act and passed into law by New Mexico Congressional Democrats.

The DOJ is awarding Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program funding for the following:

• $1,953,303 to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety
• $687,375 to the City of Albuquerque
• $14,809 to the City of Carlsbad
• $21,842 to the City of Clovis
• $48,602 to the City of Farmington
• $48,630 to the City of Gallup
• $21,728 to the City of Hobbs
• $59,381 to the City of Las Cruces
• $13,609 to the Village of Los Lunas
• $13,180 to the City of Rio Rancho
• $27,017 to Valencia County

The Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program provides states, territories, Tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement; prosecution and court; prevention and education; corrections and community corrections; drug treatment and enforcement; planning, evaluation, and technology improvement; and crime victim and witness initiatives. It also provides funding support for mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs such as behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.

DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) awards to the following Tribes in New Mexico:

• $900,000 for the Pueblo of Acoma
• $899,204 for the Pueblo of Santa Ana
• $899,737 for the Pueblo of Zia
• $500,000 for the Pueblo of Zia

DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has awarded Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) awards to the following Tribes in New Mexico:

• $642,831 for the Pueblo of Acoma
• $670,048 for the Pueblo of Jemez
• $695,983 for the Pueblo of Pojoaque

The total funding of $5,207,803 is a result from discretionary funding included in the FY22 Consolidated Appropriations Act and passed into law by New Mexico Congressional Democrats.

The Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) provides federally recognized Tribes and Tribal consortia an opportunity to apply for funding to aid in developing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public safety and victimization.