If anyone has questions with any of these requests, please contact Senator Inhofe's office. 

COMMERCE/JUSTICE/SCIENCE REQUESTS 

·         Campus Police Force

Ø  Organization:  Tulsa Public Schools

Ø  Amount Requested:  $1,647,500

Ø  Purpose:  This project will continue to fund a campus police force specific to Tulsa Public Schools. This project will provide the opportunity for Tulsa Public Schools to provide a safe, learning environment for all schools within the district and will provide personnel to conduct preventative training to staff and students in the area of drug and alcohol use, crisis management, and student conduct. 

Ø  Justification:  In the past four years, there have been over 10,264 incidents involving school violence, over 1,068 incidents involving drugs and alcohol, and 594 incidents involving students possessing guns or other weapons on Tulsa Public Schools property.  Suspensions for violent offences and gun possessions totaled 1,703 in 2008, including 507 at the elementary level, 418 at the middle school level, and 338 at the high school level.  The TPS Police Force will provide dedicated police service to TPS schools, allowing for immediate response times and a significant reduction in TPS’s reliance on the Tulsa Police Dept. 

Ø  Authorization:  DOJ/OJP/Byrne Discretionary Grants - This was authorized by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690). It was renamed the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in 2004.  Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws. Grants also may be used to provide assistance (other than compensation) to victims of these offenders. 

·         Campus Safety and Security Enhancement Program

Ø  Organization:  East Central University

Ø  Amount Requested:  $500,000

Ø  Purpose:  These funds will allow ECU to complete phases one and two of the Campus Safety and Security Enhancement Program through the purchase of a new digital telecommunications system with early warning notification capabilities and the installation of keyless entry on all exterior doors for academic buildings and residence halls.  Additionally some funds will be used to educate law enforcement from other campuses and Tribal partners on matters related to facilities safety and target hardening.        

Ø  Justification: ECU completed a campus safety evaluation and determined two areas that need to be addressed immediately; the phone system and electric passage locks on all exterior doors.  The institution is purchasing a digital telecommunications system that will give the institution a campus-wide notification and early warning system.  The evaluation process also indicated a significant need to implement a keyless entry system on exterior doors of all academic and administrative buildings, and the three residence halls.  Budget constraints and the projected budget cuts from the Oklahoma Legislature make it impossible to address the much needed upgrade to electric passage locks.  A keyless entry will enable ECU to avoid loss/stolen key issues, provide the ability to lockdown buildings in emergencies, and control entrance to those seeking to disrupt campus life and the safety and well being of their students. 

Ø  Authorization:  DOJ/OJP/Byrne Discretionary Grants - This was authorized by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690). It was renamed the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in 2004.  Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws. Grants also may be used to provide assistance (other than compensation) to victims of these offenders. 

·         Forensic Laboratory Program

Ø  Organization:  University of Central Oklahoma

Ø  Amount Requested:  $300,000

Ø  Purpose:  The University of Central Oklahoma combined with the new Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Forensic Institution has established a major forensic education/laboratory program serving the entire southwest.  The Program has been expanded to 48 graduates a year.  This funding will utilize new laboratory infrastructure and equipment to significantly expand the services available to the training programs and to state and local law enforcement officers.  All funds will be used to purchase equipment and supplies for training in DNA analysis.  This equipment represents the state-of-the-art for human identification through DNA analysis.                 

Ø  Justification:  The current demand, not only for Oklahoma, but for the entire nation for well-trained DNA analysts in local, state and federal crime laboratories is at an all-time high.  Additional state and federal laws have been enacted that increase the population of convicted offenders and arrestees that are required to provide blood samples.  These samples are ultimately included in the National DNA database (CODIS).  Since 1998, over 80,000 cases have been solved through the use of this database.  Therefore, the demands for talented and well-trained DNA analysts continue to grow and the need to supply their training under the national standards is at unprecedented levels.  This training can begin immediately at the Forensic Science Institute and have both short-term and long-term benefits for crime laboratories around the nation.

Ø  Authorization:  DOJ/OJP/Byrne Discretionary Grants - This was authorized by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690). It was renamed the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in 2004.  Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws. Grants also may be used to provide assistance (other than compensation) to victims of these offenders. 

·         Law Enforcement Interoperability/Regional Expansion Project

Ø  Organization:  Tulsa Police Department/City of Tulsa

Ø  Amount Requested:  $3,000,000

Ø  Purpose:  This project involves two significant parts: updating its outdated criminal Records Management System with a secure, comprehensive, criminal records system; and implementing a wireless broadband network.  The components include the purchase of application and database software, hardware for application storage, data storage for criminal records, and a back-up system, in addition to equipment configuration and implementation.

Ø  Justification:  Improving the current Tulsa Police Department Records Management System (RMS) and enabling wireless broadband communication will reduce operational inefficiencies, data-entry errors, and response time.   The City of Tulsa Police Department is the largest department in northeastern Oklahoma.  As such, the department shares crime reporting and intelligence with departments from surrounding areas.  These include municipal, county, state, railroad, and tribal law enforcement agencies.  By implementing the requested improvements, the department can dramatically improve the gathering, sharing, and dissemination of criminal information and intelligence within the department--and among other law enforcement agencies in the region.  Furthermore, the department can provide a communication platform (based upon internet-technology) to better cooperate and perform with other agencies, particularly during emergencies, crises, and other critical incidents.

Ø  Authorization:  Title I, Part Q, Sec. 1701 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3711 et seq.) was amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103–322), which created the Community Oriented Policing Services Program and authorizes that the "Attorney General may make grants to States, units of local government, Indian tribal governments, other public and private entities, and multi-jurisdictional or regional consortia thereof to increase police presence, to expand and improve cooperative efforts between law enforcement agencies and members of the community to address crime and disorder problems, and otherwise to enhance public safety." 

·         National Weather Radar Testbed – Phased Array Radar

Ø  Organization:  University of Oklahoma

Ø  Amount Requested:  $10,000,000

Ø  Purpose:  This project is to support continued research and development for forecasting advanced warning detection of tornadoes and other forms of severe weather.   The money would go toward accelerating the multifunction phased array technology project to design, construct, test and evaluate the performance of a dual-polarized tile, panel, and eventually a demonstration prototype antenna to perform simultaneous weather, and aircraft  (including non compliant aircraft ) surveillance. 

Ø  Justification:  This project consistently receives federal funding in the President’s budget. It also attracts private companies to establish themselves in Norman and hire additional employees.  The funds would create 20 additional jobs with the possibility of an additional 137 jobs due to secondary and tertiary jobs.  The protection of life and property from natural hazards is unquestionably a function of government.  A multi-function radar serves the needs of DOC, DOD, DHS, and DOT is a cost effective way of improving these critical government services. 

Ø  Authorization:  DOC/NOAA – Operations, Research, and Facilities - NOAA was created by Reorganization Plan Number 4 of 1970 on 10/3/70 by combining the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Weather Bureau, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Environmental Data Service, National Oceanographic Data Center, National Satellite Center, Research Libraries, and other components (5 U.S.C. app. at 1557-61 (1994))   

·         Norman Public Safety Networking Initiative

Ø  Organization:  City of Norman

Ø  Amount Requested:  $1,743,020

Ø  Purpose:  This project seeks to replace the current networking system for dispatch, records management, mobile data access, mapping, and other software tools critical to disaster response in decreasing response time and increasing interoperability and data sharing between local, state, and federal public safety responders.          

Ø  Justification:  The City’s present system does not provide effective integration of these services and causes critical delays in disaster response. The replacement of the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and the Records Management System (RMS) will allow for a more efficient interoperabilty service for the Norman Police Department, Norman Fire Department, Norman Animal Welfare and the Norman Regional Hospital Emergency Medical Service, thereby creating a safer environment for the citizens of Norman.

Ø  Authorization:  DOJ/COPS Law Enforcement Technology (P.L. 103-322, Section 10003, 9/13/1994).  The COPS Office awards grants to tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to hire and train community policing professionals, acquire and deploy cutting-edge crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test innovative policing strategies. 

·         Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Mobile Computer Equipment

Ø  Organization:  Oklahoma Department of Public Safety

Ø  Amount Requested:  $6,099,359

Ø  Purpose:  This project includes an expansion of the mobile computing platform to include the entire OHP fleet, an upgrade of the existing mobile computing platform installed in 300 OHP units, the establishment of an Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) system, and the equipping of each Communication Center with a Tier 1 Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD).      

Ø  Justification:  The Patrol serves approximately 3,384,970 citizens across 69,098 square miles.  In creating the mobile data program, the OHP desires to establish a statewide data interoperability platform. This platform will provide a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional, and multi-discipline live data communication system. The benefit of enhancing the OHP's mobile computer equipment  is creating a more safe and secure environment for Oklahomans.

Ø  Authorization:  DOJ/COPS Law Enforcement Technology (P.L. 103-322, Section 10003, 9/13/1994).  The COPS Office awards grants to tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to hire and train community policing professionals, acquire and deploy cutting-edge crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test innovative policing strategies. A statewide 800-megahertz system was approved in 1982, but never completed due to budget constraints.  This funding builds on Oklahoma’s public safety communication system. 

·         Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (OLETS)

Ø  Organization:  Oklahoma Department of Public Safety

Ø  Amount Requested:  $1,733,800

Ø  Authorization:  DOJ/COPS Law Enforcement Technology (P.L. 103-322, Section 10003, 9/13/1994).  The COPS Office awards grants to tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to hire and train community policing professionals, acquire and deploy cutting-edge crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test innovative policing strategies. A statewide 800-megahertz system was approved in 1982, but never completed due to budget constraints.  This funding builds on Oklahoma’s public safety communication system. 

·         Oklahoma Participation in the Criminal Information Sharing Alliance Network

Ø  Organization:  Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

Ø  Amount Requested:  $825,000

Ø  Purpose:  This project funds the procurement, development, and deployment of the Investigative Case Management System (ICMS) and the equipment, programming, and integration costs of joining the ICMS into the already existing Criminal Information Sharing Alliance Network (CISAnet).      

Ø  Justification:  The Criminal Information Sharing Alliance network (CISAnet) provides bi-directional information-sharing within and between state and local law enforcement agencies.  CISAnet provides Oklahoma law enforcement agencies with real time access to criminal intelligence information shared by law enforcement partner agencies within the states of Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.  Developing ICMS and integrating it into the CISAnet infrastructure will greatly increase available information, system security and functionality.  To continue to share information efficiently, OSBI must develop an Investigative Case Management System (ICMS).  This system will provide law enforcement officers/analysts with the tools necessary to collect, use and share critical law enforcement investigative information within and across the state.  Together OSBI ICMS and CISAnet ensure that Oklahoma state and local law enforcement officers – the individuals most likely to come into direct contact with terrorists, drug traffickers or other criminals – have the best information (accurate and complete) available to them in a timely manner.  These systems are important components of an overall prevention and enforcement strategy and are crucial to protecting the citizens of Oklahoma and the United States’ homeland security.

Ø  Authorization:  DOJ/OJP/Byrne Discretionary Grants - This was authorized by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690). It was renamed the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in 2004.  Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws. Grants also may be used to provide assistance (other than compensation) to victims of these offenders. 

·         Statewide Public Safety Communications System

Ø  Organization:  Oklahoma Department of Public Safety

Ø  Amount Requested:  $2,000,000

Ø  Purpose:  This project continues the replacement of the aging communications system and provides comprehensive radio and data communications capabilities for all emergency response agencies in Oklahoma.  Funding will assist in the construction of the state-wide system infrastructure, including the central network switch, network management and alarms, dispatch consoles, new site preparation, and integration and project management.  The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety will absorb the costs of operating the system.               

Ø  Justification:  The current communications capabilities of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are inadequate, antiquated, and unsafe.  Units cannot effectively share information with each other or with other agencies.  In about 61 rural counties, the communications system is largely inoperable and the state troopers have literally no means to communicate with each other or with local law enforcement.  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) is in desperate need of improved communications interoperability statewide. Funding this request will allow OHP the opportunity to seamlessly communicate with more than 20,000 first responders currently operating on the 800 MHz communication system during a public safety event.  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is the principal law enforcement agency on the highways of Oklahoma, which include three major interstate highways.  These highways provide one of the most important junctions of land based interstate and international traffic in the United States.  Moreover, Oklahoma is a relatively large state geographically with a largely rural population.  The current communications system makes it extremely difficult for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and other first responders to quickly respond to serious incidents or evolving threats of an unpredictable nature.  This is particularly critical in this rapidly evolving environment of domestic preparedness threats.

Ø  Authorization:  DOJ/COPS Law Enforcement Technology (P.L. 103-322, Section 10003, 9/13/1994).  The COPS Office awards grants to tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to hire and train community policing professionals, acquire and deploy cutting-edge crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test innovative policing strategies. A statewide 800-megahertz system was approved in 1982, but never completed due to budget constraints.  This funding builds on Oklahoma’s public safety communication system.