Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. statement, August 18, 1995

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Richard Cross August 18, 1995 202-225-3061 STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. REGARDING “COPS” GRANT TO BALTIMORE COUNTY “I am pleased Baltimore County has received $975,000 in federal monies to bolster its crime fighting efforts. However, I disagree with the Clinton Administration’s command-and- control approach to crime. How best to spend these monies should be determined by local officials— not Washington bureaucrats. “This award was made to Baltimore County with the proviso that it be used to hire 13 new police officers specifically for existing county programs to battle drugs and help youths. In reality, this is another inadequately-funded federal mandate. The grant covers only three- quarters of the total salaries and benefits for each officer-meaning that county taxpayers must pay the rest. Moreover, in three years the county will pay the full cost of the new hires completely out of local taxpayer funds or terminate their employment once the award monies have been exhausted. “Police Chief Michael Gambrill and county officials are in the best position to decide how to combat crime in Baltimore County. Putting new police officers on the beat, purchasing new equipment, or upgrading existing facilities may be better ways of using nearly a million dollars in federal aid. I strongly supported recent attempts by Congress to restore local control C