Staff report
RALEIGH ó Gov. Bev Perdue announced Friday the awarding of $62 million in grants to state and local agencies to improve community safety and assist crime victims. Rowan and Cabarrus counties received hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants.
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.
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 the department $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.”
Below is a list of the grants, some of which carry over to a second year:
Rowan
Town of East Spencer ó East Spencer Gang Prevention $332,184.75 the first year, $207,650 in year two.
The Rape, Child and Family Abuse Crisis Council Court Advocacy ó $21,495.55.
Adolescent and Family Enrichment Council Visitation Station ó $93,925.49.
City of Salisbury Police Department, Salisbury Resource Coordinator ó $42,320.88 for year one; $38,173.67 for year two.
Salisbury Police Department Salisbury Police Special Response ó $66,200.
County total: $556,126.67 for first year; $245,823.67 in second year.
Cabarrus
Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network (CVAN) Cabarrus County Basic Services ó $27,000 in year one; $27,000 in year two.
Higher Level Missions Inc. Cabarrus Reentry Initiative ó $180,730.36 first year; $179,192.86, year two
Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County Boys & Girls Club After School ó $74,998.82.
County total: $282,729.18, first year; $206,192.86, year two.
Davidson
Family Services of Davidson County Inc. Davidson County Basic DV/SA ó $65,000, first year; $65,000 second year.
Denton Police Department Keeping a Safe Community ó $7,032.85.
County total: $72,032.85, year one; $65,000, year two.
Davie
Davie Domestic Violence Services & Rape Crisis Center Davie County Basic Services ó $25,000 first year; $25,000, year two.
County total: $25,000 year one; $25,000 year two.
Iredell
Statesville Police Department Portable ID System ó $2,000.
Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center CAC victim services ó $95,000, year one; $95,000, year two.
Statesville Police Department Statesville /Iredell Gang Initiative ó $372,207.59, first year; $352,602.60, year two.
Troutman Police Department Officer Readiness/Safety Initiative ó $13,136.45.
County total: $482,344.04 year one; $447,602.60, year two.”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.”