Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell said today he will introduce legislation to authorize 250-million dollars in grants to police departments in Iowa. Boswell says his “Cops for Kids Act” would provide resources to police to track sex offenders. Boswell says, if approved, the program would provide grants to police over a five year period. He says the grants would be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice and could not only be used for personnel, but also for equipment and training.
Boswell, a democrat, says the grants could possibly be used to buy global tracking bracelets for convicted sex offenders. Major Craig Zubrod of the Des Moines police department joined Boswell for the announcement. Zubrod says they’ve discovered in Des Moines that they have to devote two police officers full-time to tracking sex offenders.
Polk County Attorney John Sarcone was also at the announcement. Sarcone says this program is important in the face of potential cuts for other federal programs that send money to local law enforcement. Sarcone says a program that gives funding to track sex offenders is something they have to have. Sarcone says the criminals figure out where the weaknesses are and push the edge. Boswell says he introduce the bill when the U.S. House reconvenes next week.
Boswell is running for re-election in the third congressional district which stretches from Des Moines to Newton to Grinnell. State senator Jeff Lamberti, a Republican from Ankeny, is challenging Boswell.