RALEIGH, N.C. – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced the awarding of $62 million in grants to state and local agencies to improve community safety and assist crime victims.
After reviewing more than 520 grant applications, the Governor’s Crime Commission (GCC) made awards for 315 programs in 86 counties, five universities and six state agencies. The money will help efforts to stop gangs, fight juvenile delinquency, assist victims of domestic violence and provide updated equipment for law enforcement agencies.
“These grants are making a real difference in reducing crime and protecting our citizens,” Perdue said. “We want to keep our people safe, help those who have been victimized and provide law enforcement with the additional resources to get the job done.”
GCC’s 44 members review applications according to federal guidelines and present their recommendations to the governor. Federal funding is appropriated annually by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of Justice for distribution to the states. Federal block grants are for government, education and social service agencies to start new and innovative programs.
Included in this year’s funding is $31 million from the federal Justice Assistance Grant Program (known as Byrne-JAG funding), which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Another $8 million is from the N.C. General Assembly’s 2008 appropriation to fight gang violence. Other federal funding sources include the Victims of Crime Act, Violence Against Women Act and Children’s Justice Act.
GCC is a division of the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. GCC awarded CCPS $5 million to expand the Voice Interoperability Network project (VIPER). When completed, VIPER allows law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel to communicate with each other during emergencies using matching equipment and adequate tower relay coverage.
“The Governor’s Crime Commission has funded many successful projects that have taken permanent hold, such as the Community Watch Program, the Criminal Justice Information Network Program (including e-citation), community policing and the creation of the school resource officer program,” said District Attorney Scott Thomas, chair of the GCC. “We look forward to this year’s projects making a significant difference in reducing crime in communities across the state.”
