Missouri Department of Public Safety News Release

JEREMIAH W. (JAY) NIXON, GOVERNOR

Contact:

JOHN M. BRITT, DIRECTOR

News Release ID: N01110030

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JEFFERSON CITY

August 01, 2011

Missouri awards more than $890,000 in drug task force and law enforcement grants to fight crime in Springfield region

Grants will help ensure continued strenght of Missouri's imoprtant multi-jurisdictional drug task forces

The Missouri Department of Public Safety announced today that law enforcement agencies in the Springfield area were awarded more than $890,000 in grants designed to combat illegal drugs and drug-related crimes, and to strengthen law enforcement efforts. The grants will help ensure the continued strength of Missouri's multi-jurisdictional drug task forces during tight budget times.

"These grants are designed to make Missouri communities safer and stronger by bolstering the state's   highly effective multi-jurisdictional drug task forces in the battle against drugs and drug-related crime," said Department of Public Safety Director John M. Britt. "The grants should make a real difference by allowing these law enforcement agencies to continue to devote significant resources to the fight against illegal drugs.”

The Springfield area initiatives receiving a portion of the $892,391 in grants are:
·    The Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force in Barry County will receive $165,488
·    The Dallas County Sheriff's Office will receive $18,750
·    The Combined Ozarks Multi-jurisdictional Enforcement Team (COMET) in Greene County will receive $388,496
·    The Stone County Prosecutor Drug/Alcohol Offender Program of the Stone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will receive $26,331
·    The South Central Drug Task Force in West Plains will receive $293,326

Including these Springfield area initiatives, a total of $7,135,243 in federal Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) is being awarded to 27 multi-jurisdictional drug task forces operated by counties and municipalities; one program that responds to clandestine methamphetamine labs and provides important supplies to emergency response personnel; two prosecutorial efforts to combat drugs; one program focused on preventing drug use through education and early intervention; one prosecutorial program to investigate sexual and domestic abuse;  two law enforcement agencies for records management system purchases; three law enforcement agencies for equipment purchases; and one program that assists the Department of Public Safety develop crime fighting strategy.

The grants will utilize $1,340,236 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

For more information, call (573) 751-4819 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov