Western Washington Tribes Receive more than $10 Million in DOJ Grants for Enhanced Law Enforcement

            The U.S. Department of Justice this week awarded more than $10 million to eight Indian Tribes in Western Washington to enhance services to crime victims and improve criminal justice in the tribal communities, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  The grant awards under various Justice Department programs are tailored to the needs identified by each tribe.

            “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Tribes, and are confident these grants will help increase the public safety of each community,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  “One size does not fit all, and I am pleased these grants will address specific needs on Tribal lands.”

            The grants include nearly $2.6 million for crime issues related to alcohol and substance abuse:

• Swinomish Tribe ($349,379)
• Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe ($460,105)
• Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation ($407,108)
• Puyallup Tribe of Indians ($628,807)
• Squaxin Island Tribe ($750,000)

 
Two tribal communities were awarded grants to improve the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases, especially cases of child sexual abuse:

• Tulalip Tribes of Washington ($383,283)
• Puyallup Tribe of Indians ($369,805)

Five tribes received significant funding to combat violence against women:

• Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Nation ($307,583)
• Cowlitz Indian Tribe ($711,000)
• Puyallup Tribe of Indians ($100,000)
• Swinomish Tribal Community ($700,000)
• Tulalip Tribes of Washington ($886,889)

In addition, tribes also received funding for their community oriented policing efforts providing for tribal police, training and equipment.  The total grant awards to each of the seven tribes are listed here:

A listing of all the grant awards is available here: http://www.justice.gov/tribal/docs/ctas-award-list-2013.pdf