Fed funding may not stop Lynn cop cutbacks

LYNN – Monday’s news that the city’s law enforcement agencies are poised to receive $510,555 from the federal government may barely keep the police department afloat in Fiscal Year 2010 and layoffs still are not out of the question, according to city officials.President Obama announced $2 billion would be allocated to state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, which includes $40 million for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.In addition to Lynn’s above mentioned allocation, other area communities slated to benefit are Saugus, $72,962; Revere, $147,176; Peabody, $76,181; and Lynnfield, $11,087.Funds are allocated on a formula of population and violent crime statistics. Lynn had one of the highest crime rates in the state in 2007, the most recent year statewide statistics are available.Lynn Police Chief John Suslak, who said two weeks ago the department is counting on federal stimulus funds to maintain an acceptable level of operation, said Monday the JAG funding is “obviously good news” but the likelihood of cutbacks and layoffs is still very real.”The big question now is, ‘How are we going to use this money?'” Suslak said. “We still don’t have that answer yet.”Suslak added, “I still think we’re looking at substantial cuts in ‘FY’10.”Mayor Edward Clancy agreed, saying, “We don’t know what the fine print is? yet.”Clancy, who met Friday to discuss budget concerns with Suslak and other city officials, including Fire Chief James Carriette, said Monday it was premature to publicly announce pending budget numbers because state funding has not been finalized and is likely to change in coming months. However, the mayor said there is enough information to know drastic cut backs for the police, fire and school departments are coming.”The police, fire, schools and all other operating budgets are going to suffer severe cuts in 2010. I’ve been saying this ’til I’ve been blue in the face and I’m sick of saying it,” Clancy said.”People don’t seem to be paying attention,” Clancy continued. “We’ve made it as clear as my head is bald that the operating budgets in Lynn are going to be cut substantially. The only way to avoid layoffs is for sacrifices from municipal workers? No one has been anxious to do that.”In an interview two weeks ago, Suslak said $545,000 in police funds would be cut for FY ’10 because two state grants, Community Policing and Municipal Hiring, are likely not going to be funded. The $510,555 in new federal money would still leave the department $34,445 short.The department’s budget was cut $458,915 for the remainder of FY ’09 and several cost-cutting measures have already been implemented, including re-assigning officers and not purchasing police vehicles.According to the federal government, the JAG program encompasses a variety of efforts such as hiring and support for law enforcement officers; multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces; crime prevention and domestic violence programs; and courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives.Sixty percent of the allocations are awarded directly to states and 40 percent is set aside for units of local governments. Funding will be used by states and more than 5,000 local communities to enhance their ability to protect communities and combat crime.Obama said the money would help to keep police officers on the streets whose jobs are threatened by budget cuts and ensure states and municipalities that they have the tools necessary to fight crime.”This money will simultaneously help jump start the American economy and protect our citizens,” he said.For a complete list of JAG allocation amounts for Massachusetts, visit http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/recjag/MA.xls