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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 20, 2008

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $150,000 TO CONTROL AND PREVENT STATE AND LOCAL CRIME IN CITY OF BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY

Federal Money Will Support Crime Prevention Initiatives by Funding Officer Overtime, Case Management Services, Neighborhood Restoration and Juvenile Delinquency Programs for At-Risk Youth

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded $150,345 under the FY 08 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to the City of Buffalo and Erie County. This money will be used to support multiple law enforcement initiatives including case management services, hiring a juvenile prosecutor, police officer overtime and prevention programs to divert at-risk youth from criminal activities.

"Keeping Western New Yorkers safe is a top priority and providing cities with the resources to prevent and control crime is a critical step toward achieving that goal,” Schumer said. “Funding programs that help stop crime will improve residents’ quality of life and I will continue to fight for federal funds to help support programs that promote community safety and education."

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. As disparate jurisdictions, the City of Buffalo and Erie County will utilize the funds to support separate initiatives. The city, through the Buffalo Police Department, will use funds for officer overtime to address both violent crime and quality of life issues by assigning officers to monitor high crime areas to investigate suspicious activities and spotlight enforcement strategies on guns, drugs, gangs and other violent crime. Funds will also be applied to the Department of Community Services for juvenile delinquency prevention programs that aim to divert at-youth risk from criminal activity through education and referral services.

The City of Buffalo’s Drug Court and Office of Citizen Services will also receive a share of the grant for case management services and to support neighborhood restoration initiatives aimed at eliminating residential properties of drug activity and empowering residents to improve their quality of life.

The county, through the District Attorney’s Office, will apply its share of the funds to support the salary of a juvenile prosecutor who will focus on significant problems of violent, serial, and gang-related crimes committed by 14 to 19-year olds within the county.  

For purposes of grant administration, the City of Buffalo will be responsible for the general management and oversight of this award. JAG grants can also be used for technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for programs throughout the city. These programs include law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, corrections and community corrections program, drug treatment programs, and crime victim and witness programs

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