U.S. Sens. Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced that $2,910,366 in federal grant funding has been awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) to municipalities across Maryland through the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program. These funds will be used to support public safety activities and reduce violent crime as well as crimes against victims and children throughout Maryland.
Mikulski is vice chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Subcommittee, which fund DoJ. Cardin is a member of the Senate Finance Committee. This formula program allows state and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime, and to improve the criminal justice system. Byrne JAG funding is fast, flexible and effective in helping states and communities address emerging crime problems.
Law enforcement agencies receiving funds from the Byrne JAG program include the following:
- The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP): $1,011,443. The GOCCP will use these federal funds to help defray increased police overtime costs surrounding the civil unrest following the death of Freddie Gray.
- Anne Arundel County: $170,982. These federal funds will be used by Anne Arundel County to provide funding to organizations within the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
- Howard County: $47,073. These federal funds will be used by Howard County to fund saturation patrol overtime and an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course refresher.
- City of Laurel: $12,031. The City of Laurel will us these federal funds to purchase equipment to reduce violent encounters between police and citizens.
- Prince George’s County: $309,180. These federal funds will be used by Prince George’s County to fund upgraded A/V equipment in interrogation rooms, improve security measures for courthouses and improve forensic equipment for fire investigators.