Office of Community Oriented Policing Services – the practice of community policing is largely seen as a good thing by most people, regardless of their politics. Tribal, state, local and territorial law enforcement agencies receive grants for hiring, training and development of new strategies that are most effective for policing in their area. This program has by-and-large been recognized as highly successful since it started in 1994 with a budget at that time of slightly over $148 million dollars. Today, the appropriation for this program is just slightly over $200 million. A decrease in crime rates of about five percent shows this program has been effective.
While the impact of cutting this program cannot be forecast, with the number of officer-involved shootings in 2015, the projection is grim. Let us not forget that while campaigning, Donald Trump discussed reinstating stop and frisk, believes prisons should be privatized, believes our police officers are frequently unfairly criticized and believes ex-felons should never have the right to vote.
Violence Against Women Grants - Donald Trump famously boasted on CNN that he would “be the best thing that ever happened to women,” but cutting this program could have devastating consequences. The purpose of these grants is to ensure states and municipalities have the resources needed to help combat domestic violence.
Since its creation in 1994, the OVW has been responsible for more than $6 billion in grants to combat sexual assault, domestic assault, stalking against women and seniors. These grants help communities with outreach programs, transitional housing for those abused and training programs for potential victims and potential abusers. The 25 grant programs provide much needed resources all across the United States and losing this valuable program could have devastating and unexpected consequences. There are more than 10 million people every year who are victims of domestic violence.
Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – Since 1974, LSC has been the largest source of funding for civil legal aid for low-income Americans. Nearly 2 million people annually are helped through LSC because of funding provided to 134 programs across the country representing 800 offices. The resources are used to help low-income people handle family law matters, consumer protection issues, employment matters and provides assistance to veterans as well. The services provided include legal clinics, access to seminars to help people learn about specific law issues as well as phone assistance when needed.
Overall, these programs ensure that even those who are living below the poverty level get the legal representation they need. This is an important program that if it is cut will curtail the number of people who can get help when they are facing foreclosure, bankruptcy or if their employer is not paying them as agreed. Cutting this vital service could mean those living in poverty will be forced to forfeit their legal rights because they cannot afford legal help.
Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) - Since 1909 ENRD has worked with states enforcing regulations including clean water and protection of wildlife. In nearly all cases, these cases are handled jointly between this federal bureau and the states which has been found to be the most effective way of handling most of the issues. Recently a new joint effort between this division and the Department of Labor, and other labor departments, was launched to help ensure the safety of workers. ENRD is tasked with helping prosecute those companies who are responsible for pollution that impacts our lives. Some of the cases they have helped resolve include those related to asbestos, unauthorized oil releases and blatant OSHA violations to name a few.
This possible cut should be particularly concerning given President Trump's EPA head choice, his skepticism about climate change and his son's interests in big game hunting. This cut could signal lasting changes in how our natural resources are protected and big businesses are prosecuted for violations of regulations.
Department of Justice Civil Rights Division – In 1957, this division was created to ensure all people were treated equally in the workplace, by police departments and employers, by lenders and by schools to name a few. This division helps protect the most vulnerable among us from violations like redlining, voting restrictions and more. Unfortunately, while civil liberties are often promoted as a basic human right, too often they are ignored. There is a growing concern among many people that Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions could promote policies that will roll back many protections we all enjoy which makes the possible cutting of this division even more frightening.
President Trump has promised to overhaul Washington and make it more efficient. Hopefully before making some of the cuts that are being promoted by the Heritage Foundation he and his cabinet members will take a look at the good these programs have done over the years and reconsider. The dangers are many....the consequences of cutting these programs could cause irreparable harm to hundreds of thousands of Americans.
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Sources:
CNN: the best thing that ever happened to women (video)
