Debicella
hails Crime Prevention Grants for local communities
State Senator Dan Debicella (R-21) said that both Shelton
and Stratford will receive funding directly from the
federal stimulus package in the form of U.S. Department
of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance
Grants.
“We are working to ensure that Stratford and
Shelton receive their fair share of the stimulus money
coming from Washington,” said Senator Debicella.
“These crime prevention funds are the first of
a number of grants and ‘shovel-ready’ projects
that we are working on in the next few months.”
Debicella said that Shelton was awarded a $21,288 grant,
and Stratford was awarded a $115,163 grant. Shelton
and Stratford are among 64 Connecticut municipalities
awarded a total of $8.1 million in these federal grants
for law enforcement and other community-based safety
and intervention programs.
“This is excellent news for Shelton and Stratford
which will have the flexibility to spend this money
on the types of anti-crime programs that best meet local
needs. Federal funding for community based programs
is especially welcome during this difficult economic
downturn,” said Senator Debicella.
According to Governor M. Jodi Rell, who recently announced
the grant awards, the state of Connecticut will receive
an additional, estimated, $12 million for law enforcement
and public safety programs. Approximately 50 percent
of these federal funds must be distributed as grants
to other cities and towns, with the balance to be spent
for state-administered community safety, crime prevention
and intervention projects and services.
Also, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 also makes available more than $225 million nationally
in competitive grants for law enforcement activities.
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