The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced five Metro East entities as recipients for a combined $1.4 million in federal funding to support local public safety and community justice efforts.
“In addition to prosecuting violators of federal law, the Justice Department and the funding awarded by OJP will help law enforcement officials in southern Illinois to have more resources to curb violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I commend this investment in public safety.”
Awards granted in the Southern District of Illinois totaled $1,417,432.
The City of Alton was awarded $800,000 from the Smart Policing Initiative Grant Program to expand License Plate Readers (LPRs) and other camera technology to help reduce violent crime and vehicle thefts.
The City of Collinsville received a $299,719 grant from the Rural and Small Department Violent Crime Reduction Program to help police develop stronger investigative capacities. The project aims to add surveillance and forensic technology with LPRs.
Hoyleton Youth and Family Services in Fairview Heights received a total of $226,153 from the Project Safe Neighborhoods Formula Grant Program. Hoyleton officials will serve as the lead social service provider and fiscal agent over the funds to assist law enforcement operations through the Illinois State Police’s Public Safety Enforcement Group in East St. Louis.
Officials awarded a combined $91,560 to the City of Alton, Madison County and St. Clair County through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program to offer funds for police equipment purchases and help support community safety.
In total, the Justice Department awarded more than $4.4 billion nationwide to support community safety efforts. Visit the OJP website for the complete list of grantees as well as more information on the programs.
Original source can be found here.