Kildee Announces $313,853 Federal Grant for

WASHINGTON - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that Genesee County has been awarded a $313,853 federal grant to support local law enforcement initiatives.  The Office of Justice Programs, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, awarded the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to Genesee County for crime prevention aimed at assisting law enforcement officers in the areas of highest need.

“The Byrne grant program has been an extremely effective tool to help state and local agencies control violent and drug-related crime, improve operations, and build coordination and cooperation between sectors of the criminal justice system,” Congressman Kildee said.  “These funds will be instrumental in providing personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems to law enforcement where they are needed most.”

The Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a local range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions.  The City of Flint and Mt. Morris Township will use these funds for increased patrol in high-crime areas, selective enforcement, and community outreach programs.  Flint and Genesee Townships plan to purchase in-car digital video recorders to provide additional evidence gathering tools to officers.  Mt. Morris Township and Genesee County will purchase telecommunications devices, and Burton will use funds for tactical equipment, investigative software, and live scan digital fingerprinting equipment.