WASHINGTON, D.C.-- U.S. Sen. David Vitter secured $1.5 million in funds for Southeast Louisiana in the U.S. Senate’s Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, which was approved by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee today.

Included in that amount is $100,000 for the Bogalusa Police Department.  The funds will be used to equip newly purchased police vehicles and upgrade computers and mapping systems to assist officers in the proper collection and documentation of crime statistics.

“Providing our law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to effectively police their local communities should be a statewide priority,” Vitter said.  “These funds will provide the Bogalusa Police Department with exactly what they need to do just that.”

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Vitter secured $500,000 for the Metropolitan Crime Commission to continue operation of the Anti-Public Corruption (APC) hotline, a program that provides the public with an anonymous method of reporting corruption in government and business.

“The corruption hotline has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public, and dozens of tips have been referred to law enforcement agencies,” Vitter said.  “In recent years, Louisiana has enacted significant reforms to bring an end to corruption in state politics, and programs such like this help law enforcement officials further this important goal.”

Funds in the amount of $250,000 were also included to continue the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Program.  In cooperation with the University of New Orleans, the program conducts priority research and provides science support for the restoration of the Pontchartrain Basin.  Areas of research include post-Katrina hurricane recovery, watershed analysis, restoration projects and investigations of critical habitat and water quality issues.

“Lake Pontchartrain supports an expansive ecosystem, is home to hundreds of species of fish, birds and other wildlife and provides countless recreational opportunities,” said Vitter.  “This important initiative is laying the groundwork to help ensure that the lake and its tributaries can be enjoyed by generations of future Louisianans.”

Vitter also secured $250,000 for the University of New Orleans’ National Center for Advanced Manufacturing-Louisiana Partnership.  In coordination with NASA, the project will research, test and deploy manufacturing processes with the goal of improving the quality and efficiency of those processes, coordinate research between the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility and the Stennis Space Center and transfer technologies to other industries through education and training.

“NASA plays such an important role in our local economy, employing thousands of Louisianans at the Michoud and Stennis facilities,” Vitter said. “As we transition into the next generation of space exploration vehicles, Louisiana is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of the space program, and programs like this will help ensure our continued involvement.”

Also included in the bill is $400,000 for Catholic Charities’ Family Justice Center to coordinate with Crescent House in New Orleans and expand their services to assist more victims of family violence.  The Family Justice Center addresses the needs of underserved populations and centralizes the handling of domestic violence cases of police, prosecutors and courts in order to reduce domestic violence and violence against women.

The bill will now go the Senate floor for consideration.