ALEXANDRIA, Va. - U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced $1.6 billion for the fiscal year 2022 preparedness grant programs on Monday, a decision celebrated by local law enforcement agencies.

The proposed grant programs are expected to provide funding to communities across America to prevent, prepare & respond to acts of terrorism and other hazards, Cass County Sheriff William Brueggemann said. This funding is in addition to the $405.1 million announced last month for the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program.

"Rural Law Enforcement is one of the oldest and most versatile forms of real policing in our great nation," Brueggemann said. "However, without the funds, equipment, technology, manpower, and assistance from our bigger brother and sister agencies, we cannot provide the services nor meet what our citizens want and expect from their public safety providers".

Brueggemann said that while the focus is often on terrorism in cities and suburban areas, funding remains essential for smaller communities. Domestic terror events continue to occur in rural areas, Brueggemann noted, stating that those areas often have smaller tax bases to fund personnel, training, equipment, technology, and other needed resources to plan, prepare and respond.

"I am glad to see the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program and that violent domestic extremism and community preparedness are priority areas in this year's overall grant cycle," Small & Rural Law Enforcement Executive Association Board Chair Jacob Molitor said. Molitor is also chief of the Meskwaki Nation Police Department.

The Small & Rural Law Enforcement Executive Association (SRLEEA) is a professional organization of police executives representing small, rural & tribal agencies in the United States. 

"SRLEEA is grateful that Secretary Mayorkas understands the complex challenges that face our small, rural & tribal communities and the men and women in law enforcement who protect them," Molitor said.