Operation Our Town

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 mission of Operation Our Town is to facilitate partnerships between community and business to fight drug use and crime through proven law enforcement, treatment, and prevention techniques. Operation Our Town will use their 2009 Congressionally Selected Awards funds to reduce drugs and crime by increasing the amount of law enforcement activity within the City of Altoona and other communities in Blair County and improving neighborhood attachment through community projects that reduce blight in the City of Altoona's Gateway Enhancement Project.

These goals will be accomplished by providing special law enforcement operations, publication of the Push Out the Pusher drug hotline, equipment purchases, provision of training for local law enforcement, and salary reimbursement for an Assistant District Attorney who specializes in prosecution of drug cases. Also homeowner repair projects will be coordinated to encourage neighborhood community members to volunteer to support painting, replacing siding, roof repairs, and trash removal. Both goals of increasing law enforcement activity and reducing blight in the City of Altoona support the long-term goal of Operation Our Town, which is to reduce drugs and crime and encourage communities to take back our neighborhoods.

NCA/NCF