Grants for Public Safety Agencies in the Commonwealth

U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner announced Friday $148 million in federal grants to Virginia agencies, municipalities, and public safety organizations.

The 296 U.S. Department of Justice grants support public safety projects across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“Given the difficult economic climate and the budget shortfalls facing local governments, this critical funding will provide uninterrupted law enforcement services and will spur innovation and efficiency in public safety,” says Webb, author of the National Criminal Justice Act, which would create a bipartisan commission to review the criminal justice system and offer concrete recommendations for reform.

“Especially in a time of tight budgets, these grants provide much-needed support for vital public safety programs across Virginia,” adds Warner. “These funds will help us better support victims of crime, equip our front-line law enforcement officers, and provide additional investment in the longer-term modernization of Virginia’s criminal justice system.”

The Department of Justice has three grant making components: the Office on Violence Against Women, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, and the Office of Justice Programs.

Source: http://www.whsv.com