$2.26 Million in Federal Grants Awarded to West Virginia Law Enforcement and Community Programs

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia has announced that federal grants totaling over $2.26 million have been awarded to various law enforcement agencies and community service organizations within the district. These funds, distributed through the Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program and the Office on Violence Against Women, aim to bolster public safety initiatives, enhance investigative capabilities, and support victims of crime.

The grants represent a significant investment in the safety and well-being of communities across West Virginia. The JAG Program, a primary source of federal justice funding for state and local entities, provides crucial support for a wide array of needs. These include funding for personnel, essential equipment and supplies, technological advancements, training programs, and improvements to information systems used in criminal justice and civil proceedings. Furthermore, JAG funding is instrumental in bolstering crime prevention efforts and strengthening the effectiveness of prosecutors, courts, correctional facilities, and services dedicated to crime victims and witnesses.

The Office of Justice Programs has allocated $124,358 of these JAG funds to five law enforcement departments within the Northern District of West Virginia. These specific awards are designated to enhance officer safety, improve investigative services, and upgrade technology. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office received $23,697 for the purchase of officer body armor, while the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office was awarded $12,287 for firearms accessories and ammunition. Technological enhancements will be supported by grants to the Fairmont Police Department, which received $19,444 for equipment, and the Wheeling Police Department and Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, which were granted $57,790 and $11,140 respectively for investigative technology and equipment.

In addition to the JAG awards, the Office on Violence Against Women has provided substantial funding to West Virginia. The state’s Office of Justice and Community Services will receive $1,329,906 to bolster strategies aimed at combating violent crime against women. This funding is intended to strengthen law enforcement, prosecution, and court-based efforts, as well as to enhance victim services in cases involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. A further $811,133 has been allocated to this office to support rape crisis centers and non-profit organizations that provide essential services to survivors of sexual assault. These combined awards underscore a commitment to addressing critical public safety challenges and supporting vulnerable populations.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia

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