Casey calls for more U.S. funds to assist police nationwide

Pennsylvania’s senior U.S. senator says he is ready to talk guns. 

Sen. Bob Casey says an important aspect of gun control that still needs attention is the law enforcement part of of the puzzle.

“The federal government can act here by increasing funding for proven strategies that we know will work,” he said Thursday.

Casey cites community-oriented policing services and bulletproof vest programs as two standouts that could use more federal money to continue their good work.

“Since 1998 in Philadelphia, 2,025 bulletproof vests have been bought for the city of Philadelphia, an investment of just over $109,000,” he said. “Not a big investment for a great return on the investment.”

Casey said says working programs need more federal funding to bring them up to their authorized levels, so cities such as Philadelphia can fight crime more effectively.

That position is one strongly endorsed by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

“I think the reason that we have seen over the last decade, or more than a decade, steady decline of crime is because of the grant programs that have been provided by the federal government,” Ramsey said. “They have supported how much we can do at the local level.”

Casey says he will push for more money nationwide for bulletproof vests and expansion of community policing among other initiatives to help control violence.