

All of this is being done in the name of curbing the spread of the coronavirus. Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby is urging Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to approve the release of all prisoners age 60 and older or who have weakened immune systems and have less than 5 years left in their prison sentence. New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio authorized the release of inmates over the age of 70 with certain pre-existing conditions. Since the coronavirus pandemic began, 600 inmates were released early in Los Angeles County and more than 200 were released in Cleveland, Ohio. Many liberal cities and states are considering – and some have already begun – releasing low-level offenders from their jails and correctional facilities to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus. On March 19, 2020, NAPO Executive Director Bill Johnson was quoted in a Washington Times article entitled, “Police Groups Slam Efforts to Mass Release Low-Level Offenders to Fight Virus”. We cannot protect the public safety if officers continue to get sick with the coronavirus and we no longer have enough officers to serve our communities. We have been and will continue to advise our member groups every time we learn of new or potential availability of PPE in an effort to make certain all of our front-line officers are able to protect themselves and stay healthy. NAPO has heard from members across the country that their officers do not have access to adequate PPE or any PPE at all. The Senate has adjourned through April 20 but will remain flexible if they need to come back to continue to address the economic fallout of the coronavirus. There is already talk of another stimulus to bolster the economy down the road. The House is expected to pass the stimulus package by voice vote on Friday (March 27) and the President said he will sign it immediately. The payments are not expected to reach individuals and households until May. The payments start to phase out after those thresholds and individuals making over $99,000 and couples making $198,000 will not receive any payments.

#STIMULUS BILL PLUS#
The stimulus package also includes direct payments to individuals: $1,200 plus $500 per child for individuals making up to $75,000 and $2,400 for married couples who file jointly making up to $150,000. $150 billion to assist states, tribes and localities cover new expenses related to the coronavirus.$178 million for FEMA for the purchase of PPE and sanitization materials for front line workers and first responders.The bill specifies that PPE is a reimbursable cost for states. $45 billion for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund.Byrne-JAG funding goes through the state. Non-grantees can ask their state’s Byrne-JAG grantee to request and repurpose funding for their needs. The funding would not be subject to DOJ “sanctuary city” rules, so every state and locality is eligible whether or not they fully cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).Ĭurrent Byrne-JAG grantees will not have to apply for a new grant to receive additional funding from this supplemental amount. These funds will go directly to state and local governments, with no match required, and will support criminal justice needs related to coronavirus, including overtime for state, local, and tribal officers personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies and medical needs and other supplies for inmates in state, local, and tribal prisons, jails, and detention centers. $850 million through the Department of Justice’s Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) Program to assist state, local, and tribal officers in responding to coronavirus.In addition to billions of dollars in funding to aid hospitals, businesses and bolster state unemployment benefits, the stimulus includes much needed funding for federal, state and local first responders:

3548) to help in the fight against the coronavirus at the federal, state and local levels and boost the economy. Today, by a vote of 96-0, the Senate passed a massive $2 trillion stimulus package (S.
