The grant, worth $467,200, is part of the DoJ’s Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Program, which was created in 2002 to reduce juvenile offenses through accountability.

“Ensuring that our local law enforcement agencies have the necessary resources to combat juvenile delinquency and crime is an essential component to keeping our communities safe,” Ross said. “These funds will help to hold those who break the law accountable for their crimes and help educate our youth about the consequences of engaging in criminal activities.”

"It's important that young people realize the consequences of breaking the law, and this program to reduce juvenile crime will help improve the safety and quality of life in communities across Arkansas," Lincoln said.

“Accountability is key to reducing youth-related crimes,” Pryor said.  “I know the state will put these federal dollars to work to strengthen the juvenile justice system and improve public safety in our schools and neighborhoods.”

“The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program helps promote greater accountability and enforcement in the juvenile justice system,” said Berry.  “By attempting to reduce juvenile delinquency, lowering the number of repeat offenders and improving the legal system, we are helping misguided children find their way to brighter future for themselves and our communities.”

“Reducing crime at all levels is important, but steering juveniles away from crime has a special importance as it creates a better future for our state,” Boozman said. “This grant will create needed object lessons to dissuade our children from making the wrong choices by showing that those who commit crimes will be held accountable.”

The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) Program is authorized under the Ominbus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 2002. The goal of the JABG program is to reduce juvenile offending through accountability-based programs focused on both the juvenile offender and the juvenile justice system.

JABG funds are allocated to States based on each State's relative population of youth under the age of 18. The underlying premise of juvenile accountability programming is that young people who violate the law should be held accountable for their actions through the swift, consistent application of sanctions that are proportionate to the offenses, both as a matter of basic justice and as a way to combat juvenile delinquency and improve the quality of life in the nation's communities.

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