Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded seven grants totaling more than $300,000 to help several Alabama communities become safer places to live, work and play.
Funds from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods will help the cities of Birmingham, Bessemer, Huntsville and Anniston along with other areas in Jefferson and Madison counties to take steps to reduce violent crime in their neighborhoods by applying local initiatives.
“Alabamians deserve to grow up in neighborhoods without fearing for their safety or the safety of their children,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am encouraged that these local initiatives developed through this program will make our communities safer, change lives for the better and thwart those who are determined to do evil.”
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide program that brings together community leaders, law enforcement and judicial officers, elected leaders and others to examine crime issues and work to develop solutions.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state from the U.S. Department of Justice.
“ADECA is committed to working with Gov. Ivey and those representing the local initiatives to take back our neighborhoods and make sure that law-abiding citizens do not feel threatened by criminals,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
Grants awarded are:
Jefferson County Commission -Bessemer Cut-off Jurisdiction ($45,000) to fund 65 high-definition surveillance cameras to be placed in areas where crimes have occurred within the Bessemer Cut-Off jurisdiction.
Jefferson County Commission ($45,000) to enable the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department to increase camera technology to discourage crime and to provide needed evidence to arrest and convict people involved in criminal activities.
Better Basics Inc. – Birmingham area ($42,000) to provide students at Central Park Elementary School in Ensley and Martha Gaskins Elementary School in Centerpoint with reading and math programs to reduce illiteracy, advance academic achievement and provide encouragement for future achievement.
Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office ($18,014) to continue and expand the Helping Families Initiative to strengthen families, encourage academic achievement and reduce out-of-school suspensions and absenteeism.
Anniston ($39,175) to continue and upgrade the city Police Department’s technological enhancement program which uses technology to discourage crime and helps investigate, locate and arrest violent offenders.
Huntsville ($67,240) to upgrade technology of the North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center to enhance the focus on high-crime areas, violent crime and gang activities.
Madison County Commission ($45,415) to enable the Madison County Sheriff’s Department to improve technology to combat violent crime and to purchase protective equipment to reduce injury of narcotics officers when conducting their duties.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
