WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley
(R-Iowa), ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)
this week met with Davenport Mayor Mike Matson, Police Chief Jeffery Bladel and
other city and law enforcement officials from the Quad Cities to discuss public
safety priorities. The meetings focused on how federal law enforcement
resources can better support local efforts to drive down violent crime.
Click HERE for a downloadable video of Grassley and
Ernst discussing the meeting, as well as B-roll and photos from their meetings.
“I enjoyed having another chance to
discuss federal law enforcement funding and resources for the Quad Cities area
with city leaders. As we keep coordinating on the local and federal level to
bring down violent crime rates and protect our communities, I’ll continue
leveraging my senior position on the Judiciary Committee to ensure local law
enforcement have the federal resources needed to keep dangerous criminals off
our streets,” Grassley said.
“I appreciated the meaningful
conversations I had with Mayor Matson and Chief Bladel on their efforts to
protect and serve the Quad Cities,” Ernst
said. “The City of Davenport and Davenport Police Department are important
partners to collaborate with as we work to combat the rise in crime, fentanyl
epidemic, and other public safety concerns. I look forward to our continued
partnership with them as we work to keep Iowans safe.”
“As we work to lower violent crime in
Davenport and the Quad Cities, I am excited by the collaboration between our
local law enforcement agencies and City officials,” said Chief Bladel. “Working with our federal delegation to bring
more resources to the Quad Cities will only enhance the efforts that we have
undertaken together already.”
“I want to thank Senator Ernst and
Senator Grassley for their continued support of law enforcement and to our
region,” said Mayor Matson. “I look
forward to continued collaboration with our Senators as we advocate for more
federal resources in the Quad City metro area.”
In June, Grassley
held a roundtable discussion with several law enforcement officials, including Scott
County Sheriff Tim Lane and Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski, to discuss
staffing needs and rising crime.
Recently, a number of
Grassley-led bills supporting law enforcement passed the Senate with bipartisan support,
including the
Invest
to Protect Act. This bipartisan
bill seeks to provide $250 million over the next five years to small law
enforcement agencies across the country. This funding will help these local
departments invest in training, equipment, mental health support and
recruitment and retention of officers.
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