The New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN) will receive $5.35 million in federal funding, to assist law enforcement in 1,015 jurisdictions in New England combat organized and violent crime, gang activity, drug activity, hate crimes, terrorism and violent extremism.
The funding announcement was made on Thursday, September 19, 2024, by the office of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
“Rhode Island State Police and local law enforcement rely on information-sharing programs to resolve complex criminal cases and coordinate with partner agencies throughout the Northeast. I’m very pleased to help secure this full funding for the New England State Police Information Network to support police officers’ efforts to keep Rhode Islanders safe and get drugs, weapons, and dirty money off of our streets,” said Whitehouse.
The RISS program assists law enforcement across the U.S. with sharing information and resources to resolve criminal investigations, ensure officer and public safety, and support criminal investigations.
Over the past 10 years, the program has distributed more than $2.3 billion in narcotics, property, and currency seizures, and has arrested more than 25,000 offenders, helping to avoid potential police tragedies.
Whitehouse has long led the Senate effort to ensure full funding for the national RISS program in annual government funding bills.
The program supports state and local efforts throughout New England to combat organized and violent crime, gang activity, drug activity, hate crimes, terrorism and violent extremism, human trafficking, identity theft, and cybercrime.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
