Mortgage Fraud in Rural Areas of CaliforniaCategory: Category I ' Combating Rural Crime

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) solicits applications for initiatives which assist law enforcement in rural states and rural areas. The program helps rural states and rural areas to prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs.

The Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Program, administered by BJA, helps rural states and rural areas prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs. In addition, priority consideration will be given to local law enforcement agencies in rural areas where the unit of local government is not eligible to receive a direct allocation from the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program or received a direct allocation that was $50,000 or less. Applicants were invited to submit a proposal under any one of the following categories to: (1) combat rural crime; (2) improve rural law enforcement investigations; (3) enhance rural detention and jail operations; (4) facilitate rural justice information sharing; or (5) develop a national training and technical assistance program.

Under Category 1, the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) will use its award to combat mortgage fraud in rural areas of CA by funding Investigative Support Teams (IST). These teams will collect, collate, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate criminal intelligence gleamed through the fraud investigations. CA DOJ will initiate 12 active mortgage fraud investigations, conduct 60 database submissions, and establish 10 formal partnerships with various law enforcement agencies. Funds will preserve three Special Agent positions, while hiring two Criminal Intelligence Analyst positions. Funds will also purchase supplies and equipment and pay for costs associated with attending mandatory grant training.

CA/CF