Congressman Cohen Secures Funding for Six of His Community Funding Projects Worth $4.9 Million

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced six of his 15 community funding projects are included in two Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Subcommittee bills that have been released so far with a dollar value of $4,991,405. See a listing below.

More appropriations bills funding other agencies of the federal government will be considered in July. The funding is subject to change as it moves through the process and must still be passed by the Senate before it is signed into law for the budget year beginning October 1.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"It is still early in the appropriations process, but I am pleased to see my proposed community funding projects to address the local crime problem approved by the relevant subcommittees. I look forward to announcing further progress as the House continues work on spending bills."

In an effort to fight crime, Congressman Cohen sought and secured funding for projects in the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. They are:

• South Memphis Crime Reduction Initiative Program -- $1,000,000

The funding would be used to expand programing in South Memphis and increase the number of youths served through the county's Youth and Family Resource Center in order reduce the pipeline to prison. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because the expansion of services will enable more families and children in need to get services to help prevent truancy, delinquency, and criminal behavior.

• Covington Police Department Youth Crime and Violence Diversion Project -- $100,000

The funding supports the police youth crime and violence diversion project to enhance community relations and deter youths from engaging in criminal activity. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will help to reduce violent crime and increase public safety.

• Enhancing Shelby County District Attorney's Office Crime Reduction Initiative -- $1,184,000

The funding would be used to purchase crime lab equipment to speed processing times and allow for testing on-site. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the on-site equipment will greatly improve the solve rate and speed of investigations for non-fatal shootings and property crimes, including the auto theft and auto break-ins which have reached epidemic proportions in the region.

• Memphis Police Department Real-Time Crime Center Equipment Upgrades -- $1,184,000

The funding would be used to purchase updated Real-Time Crime Center Equipment. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the updated equipment will improve the turnaround time in which data is received to make insightful decisions on combatting crime patterns.

• Shelby County District Attorney's Victim/Witness Services Program -- $300,000

The funding would be used to enhance the victim/witness services program, reduce the backlog of cases, and improve data collection. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because crime victims and witnesses play an essential role in successful prosecutions, which will help ensure justice and increase public safety.

In the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, Congressman Cohen secured funding for the following project:

• Shelby County Emergency Operations Center -- $1,023,405

The funding will be used to construct a new emergency operations center that will serve all seven municipalities of Shelby County. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer money because an updated, modern emergency operations center will increase coordination, efficiency, and will ultimately save lives in an emergency or disaster. The Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is the first line of defense in responding to emergencies and disasters.

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