Attorney General Rob McKenna joined 50 Attorneys General in sending a letter Wednesday urging Congress to restore federal funding for crime and drug enforcement efforts.

“State, county and city law-enforcement agencies have already taken multiple budget hits due to the economic downturn,” said McKenna, a Bellevue resident. “The proposed federal funding cuts further erode funding that helps keep our communities safe from drug addiction and gang violence.”

In Washington, the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) allocates Byrne-JAG funds to 19 multi-jurisdictional narcotics task forces that serve 29 of 39 counties. Drug fighting activities include work in local communities to investigate and prosecute mid-to-upper level drug trafficking.

Nationally, a 67 percent funding cut from last year to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne/JAG) program has already forced law enforcement agencies to shut down multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces, as well as drug treatment programs.

The Attorneys General want fiscal year 2008 funds restored through supplemental appropriations, and adequate funding levels in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. If Byrne/JAG funding is not restored, police and prosecutors will be laid off.