The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs has awarded more than $376 million in grant funding to enhance state, local and tribal law enforcement operations and reinforce public safety efforts in jurisdictions across the United States, according to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph
The awards include $1,024,834 million to support public safety activities in the Western District of Louisiana.
Among the recipients is the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, which is to receive $13,477; and the city of Opelousas, $17,834..
“These public safety grants will give our local, state, and community partners additional resources to assist them in the fight against violent crime,” Joseph said.. “I want to thank the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Program, for making these grants available to organizations within the Western District of Louisiana. Working together with our law enforcement and community partners, we are making Louisiana safer for its citizens.”
The awards announced support an array of crime-fighting initiatives, including the quarter-billion dollar Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants Program, which funds public safety efforts in 929 state, local and tribal jurisdictions. Funding also supports sex offender registration and notification, law enforcement-based victim services, the testing of sexual assault kits, and programs designed to address youth with sexual behavioral problems. Other awards will focus on wrongful convictions, intellectual property enforcement, innovative prosecution strategies and the safety and effectiveness of corrections systems.
Other awards made to organizations in the Western District of Louisiana:
BJA Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program – local awards — City of Shreveport, $127,686; City of Bossier City, $39,115; City of Lake Charles, $44,309; City of Natchitoches, $15,632; Ouachita Parish, $127,351; Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, $72,222; Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, $82,155; and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, $36,553.
OVC Law Enforcement — based victim specialist program — Lafayette City Parish Consolidated Government, $448,500.
BJA Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program – state awards —Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, $3,169,999.