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The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $2.7 million grant to hire more police and provide funding for programs to combat gang activity in Prince George's and Montgomery counties.

The funding package still must pass the Senate and be included in the overall federal budget that takes effect Oct. 1.

The grant is designed to target hotspots of gang activity in the two counties, such as Langley Park, Hyattsville and Landover. In addition to paying for extra police, the money will be split among programs designed to prevent gang activity and guide youths at risk of joining gangs.

"Gangs threaten the stability of communities, and combating gang activity demands an integrated approach," U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Dist. 5) of Mechanicsville said in a statement.

The funding was co-sponsored by Hoyer, U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Dist. 4) of Fort Washington and U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (D-Dist. 8) of Kensington.

Gang violence and crime has been a recurring problem in the counties in recent years. Montgomery County prosecutors recently said about 40 active gangs and 1,150 gang members of all backgrounds operate in the county.

Prince George's County police could not provide information on the extent of county gang activity by press time.

And police officials in the two counties said they had not heard about the grant until this week but that they welcome any additional funding.

In a statement, Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) called the grant money "critically important" for furthering the work of the bicounty Joint Gang Task Force.

And Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) said in a statement, "These funds will help support community-based programs that offer youth positive options, as well as innovative law enforcement approaches that ensure those who break the law are pursued and apprehended."

Federal prosecutors currently are continuing a racketeering case against more than 50 members of the MS-13 gang in both counties. Eighteen members of the gang have been convicted for an alleged pattern of murders, witness intimidation attempts and other organized gang activities.

The anti-gang grant from Congress would be split evenly between Prince George's and Montgomery, Hoyer spokeswoman Stephanie Lundberg said.