Michigan Communities Eligible to Apply for Crime-fighting Funds

Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the state of Michigan, as well as counties and communities throughout the state, are eligible to apply for more than $67 million in federal recovery act funds to enhance law enforcement efforts to fight drug-related and violent crime.

"Michigan law enforcement agencies will make good use of these federal crime-fighting dollars," said Granholm. "These extra resources will help us put violent criminals behind bars and fund proven crime-prevention strategies, making our cities and neighborhoods safer for Michigan families."

The additional $67 million in economic recovery funds will flow to the state through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG). Sixty percent of these federal dollars, or more than $41 million, will be administered by the Department of Community Health Office of Drug Control Policy and awarded to state and local criminal justice agencies by a competitive grant process. Details on how to apply for these competitive grant dollars will be posted on the state of Michigan recovery Web site as well as the Web site of the Office of Drug Control Policy as soon as the funds are available

The remaining 40 percent of the total federal allocation -- approximately $25.8 million -- will be awarded directly to units of local government to help prevent, fight, and prosecute drug-related and violent crime.

Both state and local law enforcement agencies and governments will use these recovery dollars to fund a wide range of law enforcement efforts, including but not limited to:

• Enhancing the efforts of multi-jurisdictional task forces to coordinate and concentrate their efforts to curb drug-related and violent crime
• Building law enforcement capacity and activity in high crime areas
• Decreasing forensic science backlogs at state crime labs
• Providing additional resources to drug and domestic violence courts.

Byrne JAG funds may also be used for technology enhancements for law enforcement agencies, saving time and money and increasing efficiency.

"We need our police officers on the street, helping citizens and fighting crime," said Granholm. "By investing in new technology, police officers will be able to file reports faster, giving them more time to patrol our neighborhoods."