Yesterday, I was proud to join Vice President Biden and Attorney General Holder for a special announcement. In total, $1 billion has been awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund law enforcement positions through our country, of which Maryland will receive about $23 million to fund 112 new police officers in our neighborhoods, protecting our families.

The COPS Program is an ongoing effort to take back our streets from crime, violence and the invasion of drugs in our communities. I can attest to the fundamental importance of the program when I had the privilege of serving the people of Baltimore as their Mayor. We achieved a 40 percent reduction in violent crime during our time in City Hall, thanks in part to federal funding allowing for an additional 200 police officers through the federal COPS program.

We can all agree that every American deserves to live in a safe neighborhood. Not only do we need police on our streets, but those officers need our support with the resources necessary to do the job. Maryland is the first state in the nation to match this funding for each new officer with up to $10,000 to purchase radios, bullet-proof vests, computers, and other essential equipment. Together, we've achieved the second highest reduction in homicides in nearly a quarter-century, not by chance, but by choice.

There is no greater or more solemn obligation we have as public servants than the protection of our citizens.  Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and our federal delegation, local law enforcement agencies have an unprecedented opportunity to create or save jobs that directly impact the safety of our neighborhoods. In Maryland, where we've set a goal of reducing violent crime by 10 percent each year, the COPS program is allowing our communities to do just that.

Martin O'Malley

Governor