Law enforcement agencies awarded $9.2 million in grants

Gov. Bob Holden announced that approximately $9.2 million has been awarded to local law enforcement agencies through the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Grant Program.

This program is made available through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and is administered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Office of the Director.

Of the 86 agencies that applied for funding, 48 were chosen to receive the Byrne grant for use in one of several varied core areas, including but not limited to: Drug Abuse Resistance Education; multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces; community oriented policing/crime prevention programs, career criminal prosecution programs; and drug court programs.

"Continuing the fight against illegal drugs is of the utmost importance, as such crimes lead further to acts of violence, destruction of property, and many other forms of criminal behavior," Holden said.

The federal government requires a minimum of 58 percent of the total award to the state be passed through as sub-grants (contracts) to local units of government.