Kalispel Tribe - Combating Rural Crime in Airway Heights

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 Kalispel Tribe of Indians, along with the Kalispel Tribe Public Safety Department (KTPSD), will use the grant to improve the safety of the public through preventing and responding to rural crime while creating jobs and promoting economic recovery. Specifically, three patrol officers and one police sergeant will be hired. Once new officers are hired and receive orientation, they will immediately be dispatched for patrol within the project area. The increase in staff and continuous patrols will allow the Public Safety Department to combat and reduce crime including narcotic trafficking, drug distribution, property crime, theft, and vehicle operation under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In addition, three police vehicles will be purchased and deployed to the new hires. A portion of funds will be used to attend mandatory grant training.

CA/CF