Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter Announce $4.3 Million to Support Public Safety Across Oregon

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, and Maxine Dexter, today announced more than $4.3 million in federal awards to support public safety programs across Oregon.

"It is absolutely essential to ensure communities across Oregon are safe, and young people are able to get the support they need in times of crisis," Wyden said. "These federal grants will help support local police agencies, youth support programs and resources for foster youth. I'll keep fighting to secure the federal resources Oregon communities need to thrive and stay secure."

"Every Oregon community needs the resources to keep young people safe, support children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and build stronger relationships between families and those who serve them," said Merkley, who helped secure funding for these community-initiated projects as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "These federal investments will expand mentorship and opportunities for young people, ensure children have access to critical advocacy and medical services, and strengthen public safety infrastructure in several communities across the state. I'll keep fighting to bring these federal resources home to Oregon and support the local organizations working every day to make our communities safer."

"Beaverton's Behavioral Health Court is doing important work to help people with mental health challenges who encounter the justice system and put them on a path to recovery," said Bonamici. "I'm grateful this grant will support this initiative, improve lives, and make our communities safer."

"Investments in emergency response capabilities strengthen our communities," said Hoyle. "This funding for the Cottage Grove Police Department will replace aging equipment and bolster our emergency preparedness, prioritizing public safety and making it easier for officers to do their jobs."

"Every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and heard. I'm thrilled to have helped secure over $2 million to protect children across Oregon. Because of this funding, children who have experienced abuse or neglect will not have to navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives alone. They will have an advocate in their corner and a safe place to turn to when they need emotional or medical support. I'm proud to see these federal dollars coming home to support the people doing this vital work in our communities," Salinas said.

"Our young people deserve to grow up safe, supported and hopeful about their future," said Dexter, M.D. "I fought hard to bring this $1 million investment to Gresham because children deserve opportunities to succeed. This funding will connect them with mentors, workforce readiness and programs that prevent and reduce involvement in violent crime and strengthen public safety efforts for youth and families in East Multnomah County. Investing in our children makes Oregon stronger."

The $4.3 million in federal awards from the Department of Justice's Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants program will be distributed as follows:

1. $1.05 million to the City of Gresham to expand the East Multnomah Outreach Prevention Intervention initiative to prevent and combat juvenile delinquency, reduce youth involvement in violent crime, and strengthen coordinated public safety efforts for youth and families in East Multnomah County.
2. $1 million to Liberty House in Salem to increase medical clinic services to children who are victims of abuse or neglect in Marion and Polk Counties.
3. $1.03 million to the Oregon CASA Network in Salem to support its work to provide foster children the advocacy and support of an assigned Court Appointed Special Advocate.
4. $500,000 to the City of Beaverton to support the Behavioral Health Court program that targets defendants with criminal cases in the Beaverton Municipal Court who are the top utilizers of legal, jail or emergency room services living in the Beaverton area.
5. $800,000 to the City of Cottage Grove to support modernizing the Cottage Grove Police Department fleet and communications infrastructure to facilitate a department-wide transition to community-oriented policing practices.

"This funding will support Court Appointed Special Advocate programs across the state in recruiting and retaining volunteers who provide advocacy, encouragement, and a sense of stability to children impacted by abuse and neglect," said Stephanie Brown, State Director, Oregon CASA Network. "Our advocates are in every corner of the state, getting to know the unique needs of each child they serve, and advocating for them in court, in school, and in the community. We appreciate the efforts of our elected officials to make this valuable investment in Oregon's future which will help many of the state's most vulnerable reach their full potential.

"Recovery takes time, care and support," said Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty. "Our Behavioral Health Court team understands that and helps participants get treatment and rebuild their lives. I'm proud of the work Judge Britton and her team do every day, and grateful to Senator Wyden and Congresswoman Salinas for supporting it. This investment will make a real difference for our neighbors and the safety of our community."