Federal Budget Cuts Could Impact Danville's Public Safety Funding

If the sequester happens on Friday as expected, the deep cuts in the federal budget will reach the neighborhood level in Danville and other communities.

If a congressional compromise isn't reached, $85 billion will be cut from the federal budget over the next year.

In California, it's expected there will be $87 million in education cuts as well as reductions in federal funding for environmental, public health, child care and other services.

At the local level, schools will probably be the most affected.

Head Start programs across California will receive less money. It's estimated 8,200 would have reduced access to services.

The cuts could also reduce the hours at federal offices.

Police departments in California are expected to lose $1.6 million in Justice Assistance Grants that support programs such as crime prevention, drug treatment and witness support.

Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich wrote, via email:

"The Town of Danville receives approximately $100,000 from the State of California as C.O.P.S. (Citizens’ Options for Public Safety) and S.L.E.S. F. (Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds) funds which, is used to partially our Community Resource Officer at the high school. The funding starts at the Federal level and is a pass-through the State. It is likely these funds will be affected. In addition, our local schools will be impacted by direct Federal funds for specific programs. Local social services administered through Contra Costa County will be affected as well due to Federal funding sources."

Finally, job assistance programs are expected to receive $3.3 million less in federal funding. That would affect about 130,000 job seekers.