Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety / Neighborhood Watch

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.

Laurens County will use the grant funds to support the Laurens County Sheriff's Office with the administration of the Choosing Health Activities and Methods Promoting Safety (C.H.A.M.P.S.) program and the Neighborhood Watch project. The goal of the project is to support the two programs in an effort to enable the Laurens County Sheriff's Department to become more involved with the schools and communities and to educate residents not only in the dangers in the use of alcohol and drugs, but to also educate the homeowners and residents in ways that can help make their homes and neighborhoods more safe. The Department will use the funds to support the C.H.A.M.P.S. program by expanding visitation and lessons and to purchase materials needed to promote it. The C.H.A.M.P.S program is targeted to the elementary schools located in the county and the lessons focus on the dangers of illegal drugs, consequences of using tobacco and alcohol, and personal safety. The Neighborhood Watch Program will target both juveniles and adults that live in the county. The goal of this program is to educate each watch group on ways to prevent crime. Information will be taught through lesson plans and information purchased from the National Neighborhood Watch Institute. The overall goals of both programs are crime deterrence and prevention through education.

NCA/NCF