White Earth Rural Law Enforcement Grant

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 White Earth Reservation Tribal Council will use its award to combat illegal drugs and gang activity. Funds will hire three additional criminal investigators and one date/records clerk. These positions will work to reduce the number of crimes and drug activities including, but not limited to: property crimes, burglaries, drug violence, narcotics trafficking, gang violence, thefts, and vehicle operation under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The investigators and clerk will support the Tribal Council's current efforts with agreements to assist Clearwater, Becker, and Mahnomen Counties, along with other tribal areas outside of the White Earth Reservation boundaries.

CA/NCF