|
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Marion Berry today announced today that two local communities in Arkansas have been awarded a grant totaling $80,000 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) from the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant money will be used to support state and local initiatives to prevent and control local crime.
$17,178 – Forrest City – The funding will be used to support the Forrest City Police Department's directed patrols program. The program targets violent, drug, and property crimes and is a paid overtime detail for officers. The JAG award will pay for the overtime.
$63,573 – Jonesboro – The funding will be used for the city of Jonesboro to supplement and replace current communications equipment utilized by police officers. The equipment purchase will allow the police department to provide better protection services to the citizens of Jonesboro and the surrounding communities.
“Law enforcement agencies across Arkansas, particularly in rural areas, depend on these grants,” said Lincoln. “These funds will provide targeted assistance to fight violent crime and purchase necessary equipment to keep our streets safe. I will continue to do all I can to ensure that Arkansas receives the funds and resources necessary to protect the citizens of our state.”
“Keeping crime off our streets requires a strong partnership among local, state and the federal government. That’s why I like the Byrne grant program. It channels federal resources to local police departments, such as those in Forrest City and Jonesboro, so our officers have the tools and training necessary to keep their communities safe,” Pryor said.
"This funding will support the hard work our local law enforcement officers are doing to keep our communities safe," said Berry. "First responders put their lives on the line to protect our families and they deserve the best tools and resources available to continue to prevent and control crime."
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: law enforcement programs; prosecution and court programs; prevention and education programs; corrections and community corrections programs; drug treatment programs; and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.
|
|
