Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $7,645,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for public safety equipment purchases and law enforcement agencies throughout Maine in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Maine’s finest and bravest should have access to the most effective equipment to better protect themselves and our communities,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would improve public safety efforts, criminal investigations, and response capacity throughout Maine. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Funding advanced by Senator Collins for Maine police departments and public safety equipment in the FY24 CJS appropriations bill is as follows:
York County Public Safety Training Equipment
Recipient: York County
Project Location: Alfred, ME
Amount Requested: $1,800,000
Project Purpose: To purchase training equipment for law enforcement and other first responders in York County.
Belfast Police Department Equipment
Recipient: City of Belfast
Project Location: Belfast, ME
Amount Requested: $750,000
Project Purpose: To purchase communications, dispatch, and other equipment to support public safety and criminal investigations.
Houlton Police Department Equipment
Recipient: Houlton Police Department
Project Location: Houlton, ME
Amount Requested: $57,000
Project Purpose: To purchase equipment to assist in criminal investigations and prosecutions, including those related to illegal narcotics detection.
Portland Harbor Patrol Boat Replacement
Recipient: Board of Harbor Commissioners for the Harbor of Portland
Project Location: Portland, ME
Amount Requested: $317,000
Project Purpose: To replace an aging patrol boat to enhance policing, security, and response capacity in Portland Harbor.
Portland Police Department Equipment
Recipient: Portland Police Department
Project Location: Portland, ME
Amount Requested: $372,000
Project Purpose: To replace equipment used by the Portland Police Department’s Hazardous Devices Team.
Oxford County Jail Security Equipment Upgrades
Recipient: County of Oxford
Project Location: South Paris, ME
Amount Requested: $174,000
Project Purpose: To purchase security equipment to help detect and prevent contraband from entering the jail.
Piscataquis County Public Safety Communications Equipment Upgrade
Recipient: Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency
Project Location: Piscataquis County
Amount Requested: $4,175,000
Project Purpose: To replace aging public safety communications equipment for Piscataquis County.
This funding advanced through the markup of the FY24 CJS appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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