Department of Public Safety News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 01, 2011
Missouri awards more than $1.3 million in drug task force and law enforcement grants to fight crime in St. Louis region
Grants will help ensure continued strength of Missouri's important multi-jurisdictional drug task forces
Grants will help ensure continued strength of Missouri's important multi-jurisdictional drug task forces
The Missouri Department of Public Safety announced today that law enforcement agencies in the St. Louis area were awarded more than $1.3 million 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 initiatives receiving a portion of the $1,331,465 in grants awarded in the St. Louis area are: · The North County M.E.G. Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force in Bridgeton will receive $51,021 · The Automating Evidence Management to Maintain Evidentiary Integrity Program of the Creve Coeur Police Department will receive $15,378 · The Mineral Area Drug Task Force in Farmington will receive $116,432 · The Franklin County Narcotics Enforcement Unit will receive $105,746 · The St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force will receive $234,719 · The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Investigation Project of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office will receive $33,168 · The Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force in St. Louis County will receive $274,866 · The Metro Multi-Jurisdictional Undercover Drug Program of the St. Louis Metro Police Department will receive $235,450 · The Jefferson County Municipal Enforcement Group will receive $265,285
Including these St. Louis 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.
-END-
For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov