Reading Police Department Reading K9 Unit Support

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The Berks County Community Foundation, Inc. will use their 2009 Congressionally Selected Awards funds to support the Reading Police Department's K9 Unit. The funds will be used for officer overtime, a police canine vehicle, and home kenneling. The goal of the canine unit is to make both the citizens and the police officers safer, and to increase the effectiveness and efficiency by which officers and investigators can successfully conduct drug investigations and make seizures of narcotics and drug dealer assets.

NCA/NCF