But County Officials Say They May Not Accept The Money
Montgomery County Maryland, just northwest of Washington, DC.
has received a federal grant of $250,000 to jump start its police
helicopter program, but county officials have said they may not
accept the money.
Several county council members have said they will vote against
the program, proposed by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D). Philip
Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg, the council President, says
the program should be scrapped entirely. The federal grant comes
from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program,
and was received Sept. 23. The program falls under the federal
Bureau of Justice Assistance.
The Maryland Online Community Newspaper Gazette.net reports the
county has received two surplus military helicopters at no cost,
and Leggett proposed funding a two-year evaluation program
primarily out of the $2.5 million police drug fund. The program
would cost about $1 million, according to Police spokesman Capt.
Paul Starks. But some council members, including Andrews, say that
it would be an illegal use of the confiscated drug money, which is
earmarked for drug interdiction. Starks says drug enforcement is
among the missions of the proposed aviation program, which would
also include SAR, traffic management, and other investigations.
Montgomery County Executive Isiah
Leggett
No council members have stated firmly they are in support of
accepting the grant, which is necessary to get the program started.
A spokesperson for Leggett questioned why the county would turn
down free money for a program law enforcement says is vital for
protecting its citizens.
Two council members, George L. Leventhal (D-At large) and Marc
Elrich (D-At large) say their objection is over long-term funding
of the program. They say the county is already squeezing police
resources, and funding the helos would take police off the street.
That sentiment was echoed by Councilman Michael J. Knapp (D-Dist.
2). "It locks us into doing something that I don't think makes much
sense right now," he said. "We're in the middle of an economic
recession. The grant will cover some of the costs, but it's going
to cost us money."
Montgomery County Council President
Phillip Andrews
The council is expected to take up the matter in the next few
weeks. If they turn down the grant, the helicopters will likely be
stored until such time as the program can be started, or they are
needed in another jurisdiction.