Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, asking for additional funding from the Department of Justice to cover overtime hours worked by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County, including the Clark County Fire Department, for their response to the October 1st shooting. The DOJ recently announced a grant award of $1 million to the State of Nevada to assist with the immediate costs, but the funds cover just a fraction of the costs that have accumulated and continue to accumulate due to much needed assistance from the LVMPD and Clark County.
“We understand the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has already accounted for over $2 million in overtime worked to date,” the senators said. “Additionally, law enforcement officers continue to accumulate overtime as the investigation is ongoing, and we understand that overtime costs for Clark County, including the Clark County Fire Department, could be well over current estimates.”
The senators continued, “We request the Department of Justice award additional grant funding from its emergency response funds in order to help cover the millions of dollars of overtime costs. Our law enforcement officers are working in the service of others, and the community of Southern Nevada has much to overcome.”
The letter can be found HERE and below:
October 17, 2017
The Honorable Jeff Sessions
Attorney General of the United States
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530
Dear Attorney General Sessions:
We are writing regarding the tragic events that took place in Las Vegas on October 1st and the additional support needed for our brave men and women in law enforcement. As you know, fifty-eight people were killed and more than 500 were wounded in the largest mass shooting in modern American history. Our city is still recovering and has a long road ahead.
Thousands of brave men and women served as first responders during the crisis. They risked their safety to protect others, saving lives and restoring security to the city. In the hours and days after the shooting, Clark County’s first responders worked tirelessly for their community.
On October 11th, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced a grant award of $1 million to the state of Nevada to assist with the immediate costs of responding to the crisis. The DOJ recognized the hard work and dedication of law enforcement officers across Nevada in the wake of the shooting. We appreciate the DOJ’s expeditious allotment of this funding.
While the grant is much needed and appreciated, it covers just a fraction of the costs that Clark County is facing. We understand the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has already accounted for over $2 million in overtime worked to date. Additionally, law enforcement officers continue to accumulate overtime as the investigation is ongoing, and we understand that overtime costs for Clark County, including the Clark County Fire Department, could be well over current estimates.
We request the Department of Justice award additional grant funding from its emergency response funds in order to help cover the millions of dollars of overtime costs. Our law enforcement officers are working in the service of others, and the community of Southern Nevada has much to overcome.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. The people of Las Vegas and the State of Nevada appreciate your support during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
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