Governor McCrory Announces $19 Million in Crime Prevention Grants Funding Targets Gangs, Helps Victims and Provides Interoperability | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

    Raleigh, NC     Governor Pat McCrory announced today $19 million in federal crime grants awarded to state and local agencies for public safety needs. Included are 19 new projects to provide funding for recording equipment. This will allow law enforcement to record custodial interrogations in attempts to address wrongful convictions. This initiative resulted from a partnership between the Governor's Crime Commission and the Bureau of Justice Assistance in a "Wrongful Convictions Demonstration Project."

    "As crime prevention needs continue to grow and agency budgets tighten, these grants are more important than ever," Governor McCrory said. "Our communities can put to good use these innovative programs and critical resources to keep our citizens safe."

    The governor approved funding for 276 programs throughout all 100 counties, including three universities and three state agencies based on recommendations from members of the Governor's Crime Commission (GCC). The federal grants will assist victims of violence, provide alternatives to criminal behavior amongst youth and support the needs of police and sheriffs offices as they work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.

    In addition, funds are being used to enhance the readiness and response of public safety agencies and first responders. The need for law enforcement to communicate with one another during incidents such as natural disasters and terror attacks is critical. Consistent and efficient interagency communications must occur to keep our officers and citizens safe. Fourteen programs operating around the state will work to decrease the number of incompatible communication technologies and develop systems of seamless information sharing amongst law enforcement agencies.

    The members of the Governor's Crime Commission met to approve final funding recommendations at the March meeting. The Commission's recommendations were then submitted to Governor McCrory and Secretary Kieran Shanahan of the N.C. Department of Public Safety for their approval. Since that time, those recommended for funding have been revising their proposals to comply with state and federal regulations. Projects recommended for funding included 117 Criminal Justice Improvement grants totaling $4.1 million, 138 Crime Victim Services grants totaling $13.4 million, and 21 Juvenile Justice grants totaling $1.4 million.

    "The members of the Governor's Crime Commission are grateful to the many partners we have across the state to implement our strategic plans to reduce crime, improve public safety, and provide life-changing opportunities for juveniles," said Secretary Shanahan. "The collaborative efforts with our law enforcement and academic communities, state and local government agencies, and nonprofits are paramount and result in successful outcomes."

    The purpose of GCC funding is to help establish new programs that may be beneficial to local communities and sustained by those communities. The Crime Commission has funded many successful projects that have become well established, such as the Community Watch program, community policing, e-citation and school resource officers. Some programs have become models for other states such as the High Point Drug Model Initiative that is now being used in Los Angeles, Chicago, and other North Carolina communities.

    Federal funding is appropriated annually by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of Justice for distribution to the states. This funding is used to provide grants to government, education and social service agencies to start new and innovative programs and to improve the criminal justice system.

    The Governor's Crime Commission is a section in the Department of Public Safety. For more information, visit www.ncdps.gov.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman     govpress@nc.gov