Asian Criminal Enterprise Initiative

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The City of Westminster will use funds to continue the Asian Criminal Enterprise Initiative in the Little Saigon area of Westminster. The central purpose of the initiative is to reduce the incidence of crime that stems from Asian Criminal Enterprises (ACE). The Westminster Police Department (WPD) has relocated its entire Special Investigations Unit to Little Saigon, strategically located within the hub of ACE operations, and does its own information identification, intelligence gathering, and investigation. Funding will be used to maintain police presence in the heart of Little Saigon, lease vehicles for surveillance use, maximize training opportunities, increase the community's accessibility to the WPD, and share intelligence with other justice partners.

NCA/CF