WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded Maine law enforcement entities two grants totaling $74,540.
“This funding from the Department of Justice will make possible important additions to the Augusta Police Department and Kennebec County and fund critical delinquency prevention efforts,” said Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. “It is critical that Maine’s law enforcement entities receive the funding necessary to keep our state safe and secure, and we are pleased to see such federal support for their efforts.”
The funding is allocated as follows:
• $18,290 to the Augusta Police Department and Kennebec County law enforcement for the acquisition of two police canines and tasers for deputies through the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG).
• $56,250 to the Maine Department of Corrections for delinquency prevention programs intended to reduce risks and enhance protective factors to prevent at-risk youth from entering the juvenile justice systems and to intervene with first-time and non-serious offenders to keep them out of the juvenile justice system.
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: (1) law enforcement programs, (2) prosecution and court programs, (3) prevention and education programs, (4) corrections and community corrections programs, (5) drug treatment programs, and (6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.
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