Rep. Scholten Announces $750,000 in Community Project Funding to Support the Kent County Sheriff’s Office

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) announced the Kent County Sheriff's Office will receive $750,000 in federal support through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process. The funding will help establish a Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) to support law enforcement efforts in crime prevention, investigation, and response. Congresswoman Scholten spoke at the Sheriff's Office last month to celebrate the funding.

"I'm proud to announce this funding for the Kent County Sheriff's Office, which will help law enforcement not only respond to crime faster, but also give them the tools they need to better prevent it in the first place," said Rep. Scholten. "This funding is about making sure the men and women who put on the uniform every day have the resources they need to keep our communities - and themselves - safe, and it allows me to deliver resources back to my constituents. I'm proud Kent County is leading with a forward-looking approach to public safety, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of the project."

"This assistance from Congresswoman Scholten will have a profound impact on public safety in Kent County and strengthen our ability to serve as guardians for the people who depend on us every day," said Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, Kent County Sheriff's Office. "The Real Time Intelligence Center will give our local law enforcement faster access to critical information, improve coordination across jurisdictions, and enhance our ability to prevent and respond to crime. When minutes count, having the right tools in place can make the difference between life and death. We are grateful for this investment in the safety of our community."

Specifically, the funding will be used to purchase hardware, networking software, and staff training to integrate public and private camera systems into a centralized platform housed within the Kent County Sheriff's Office. The overarching goal is to accelerate suspect identification and improve coordination across jurisdictions in support of criminal justice objectives.

Each year, Congress considers appropriations bills that fund the federal government, and Community Project Funding (CPF) is part of that process. The House Appropriations Committee allows Members of Congress to request these resources for a limited number of local projects, which reflects Rep. Scholten's ongoing work to bring federal investment back to Michigan's Third Congressional District.

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