Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat 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 Menominee County Sheriff's Department (MCSD) will use its award to reduce crime and increase protection of persons and property. Menominee County has a high crime rate, with many of the crimes committed stemming from drug activity and alcohol. MCSD will use grant funding to hire additional personnel to combat drug- and gang-related activity in the community. MCSD will also use funding to update its technological information-sharing capabilities and provide law enforcement officers with means to access this database. Additional personnel and improved technological equipment and access will allow the MCSD to be better able to prevent and respond to crimes in their community.

CA/CF