U.S. Department Of Justice Awards GrantsFor Public Safety In Eastern District Of Michigan

U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., and U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade, announced funding awards for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The grantees and amounts awarded include:

CITY                    # OF OFFICERS          ESTIMATED AWARD AMOUNT

City of Detroit                       10                                  $1,884,390
City of Flint                             6                                    $1,119,897
Harper Woods PD                1                                    $   174,972
City of River Rouge             1                                    $   125,000
Waterford Township           2                                   $   250,000

 
Attorney General Eric Holder said, “These critical investments represent the Justice Department's latest effort to strengthen key law enforcement capabilities, and to provide communities with the resources they need to protect our young people. Especially in a time of increased challenges and limited budgets, our top priority must always be the safety and well-being of our children.”

Overall the COPS Office funded awards to 263 cities and counties, aimed at creating 937 law enforcement positions.  More than $125 million will be awarded nationally, including nearly $45 million to fund 356 new school resource officer positions.

In addition to the COPS grants, the Department of Justice, through its Office of Justice Programs, will award $1.5 million to Wayne County in the form of a Justice Assistance Grant – of which the City of Detroit will receive roughly $1 million.  The majority of these funds will be used to purchase law enforcement technology and equipment to bolster the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement operations.

Additionally, through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Justice Department will award $100,000 to the Michigan Department of Corrections.  This funding will support the Detroit Reentry Center Project – assisting with the release of parolees in Wayne County, and helping to contain future prison growth.  These goals are in line with the “Smart on Crime” initiative Attorney General Holder announced last month, which is designed to improve public safety, reduce recidivism, redirect criminal justice spending, and ensure fair and appropriate sentences – along with other positive outcomes.

Further, through the Department’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the City of Detroit was awarded more than $170,000 which will allow the city to continue its work as part of the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention.

Lastly, the Detroit Police Department’s Detroit AmeriCorps Urban Safety Bike Watch will receive $49,998 as part of the 2013 Community Policing Development Awards.

“We in the Eastern District of Michigan are grateful that the U.S. Department of Justice is providing funding to help address our public safety challenges,” said U.S. Attorney McQuade.