U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs granted more than $5 million to enhance law enforcement activities in Washington state.
The City of Auburn received $33,631 for community policing activities.
The awards will be used for critical needs identified by the individual communities, including targeted anti-gang activities, technology upgrades, training, support for officers in public schools and victim’s services.
The largest single grant, $4.5 million, is designed to support multi-jurisdictional efforts to combat gang-related drug trafficking and violence. The funds help pay for task forces and prosecution that target violent offenders and criminal gangs. That award is to be administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. An additional $544,750 goes directly to local police forces for a variety of needs.
“From the smallest police departments to our largest task forces, these funds make a difference – picking up costs of technology and training to keep our officers well equipped and ready to keep our communities safe,” Durkan said. “Whether it is for cameras in patrol cars, forensic equipment or training to recognize terrorist threats, these are carefully screened and important expenditures. At a time when law enforcement agencies are struggling to meet needs because of budget cuts, these additional funds will help fill some gaps.”
Communities receiving Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grants are:
Auburn – $33,631 for community policing activities
Bremerton – $37,724 to partially fund a community resource officer
Burien – $23,082 for officer training
Centralia – $12,153 for equipment for traffic control unit
Federal Way – $41,311 for forensic equipment and training
Kent – $66,460 for security cameras for police station and jail
Lakewood – $67,346 for patrol car video systems
Longview/ Cowlitz County – $16,794 for a school resource officer
Lynnwood – $16,246 for forensic equipment and SWAT training
Olympia – $16,414 for technology upgrades to video storage system
Puyallup – $18,651 for firing range training system
Renton – $36,753 to support training, crime prevention and victim services
SeaTac – $18,988 for firearms training and terrorism related training courses
Shoreline – $13,081 for radar units and portable breath testers
Skagit County – $10,887 for victim services
Thurston County – $36,795 technology upgrades
Vancouver/Clark County – $115,197 for technology upgrades
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The Byrne Grants are named in honor of New York City Police Officer Edward R. Byrne, who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 26, 1988. Byrne was just 22 years old. The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers the program, which allows state and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the justice system.
