August 20, 2014

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Federal Funding for WV Law Enforcement

Department of Justice (DOJ) Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program award for $1.4 million will fund crime control and prevention efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with U.S. Representative Nick Rahall, today announced more than $1.4 million for local law enforcement. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which supports state and local law enforcement in their efforts to prevent and control crime.

“Crime and substance abuse wreaks so much havoc on our families, our communities and our state,” Manchin said. “This funding will provide our brave law enforcement officers, who put their lives on the line day in and day out, with the necessary tools to keep our communities safe, while also supporting victims of crime, who have had their lives devastated by these illegal acts. I am very pleased that these grants will also fund prevention and education programs that will help increase awareness of the horrific effects of violence and abuse.”

“Funding our state and local law enforcement is critical to protecting our communities and tackling crime, substance abuse, and addiction across the state,” said Rockefeller, who has led efforts to ensure federal funding for the JAG Program and other law enforcement grant programs. “In addition to keeping our law enforcement personnel safe on the job, these awards also support meaningful programs and services aimed at curbing substance abuse and supporting victims of violent crimes.”

“Our law enforcement professionals deserve every resource possible to keep our communities safe.  Federal funding, like these JAGS grants, play an important role in bolstering crime-fighting initiatives, especially as we continue to battle back the scourge of substance abuse,”  said Rahall.

The award recipients are:

• The West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services – $1,316,090 – The funding will go toward the Division’s priority areas of violent crime and substance abuse. In particular, the funding will support several programs and services designed to increase awareness of drug and violent crime, and to reduce drugs use and violent criminal acts through prevention, education, and investigative efforts. The programs also aims to lessen the impact of sexual assaults and educate victims and those who serve them within the criminal justice system.

• The City of Charleston – $136,264 – The funding will be used to purchase law enforcement equipment to increase officer and community safety.

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