Hawaii Receives Over $1 Million for Local Law Enforcement Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Three jurisdictions in Hawaii received awards totaling $1,063,494 today under the Justice Department's Local Law Enforcement Block Grants Program. The jurisdictions will use these funds to enhance law enforcement efforts.

The Local Law Enforcement Block Grants Program, now in its second year, is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Justice Department agency that supports implementation of comprehensive criminal justice strategies developed by each state and territory. BJA also supports state and local efforts through testing innovative approaches in preventing and controlling crime.

"These jurisdictions can use these funds to build on efforts initiated with last year's LLEBG grants," said BJA Director Nancy Gist. "We are proud to work with the states and localities through the LLEBG program to assist them to prevent crime and make their streets safer."

Honolulu is receiving $937,520, Hawaii County is receiving $97,177 and Kauai County is receiving $28,797 to improve local law enforcement and public safety. These jurisdictions will use the funds to hire additional police officers; pay overtime to existing police officers; purchase law enforcement equipment, technology, and other materials; and establish crime prevention programs in cooperation with community residents and law enforcement entities.

Last year, four jurisdictions in Hawaii received awards under the LLEBG program. Those awards totaled $1,060,000.

The Omnibus Fiscal Year 1997 Appropriations Act, Public Law 104-208, provided $523 million for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants Program. Grantees have two years from the date of the initial award by BJA to expend the funds. At the end of that two-year period, they must return remaining funds to BJA.

For further information at the local level, please contact Jeremy Harris in Honolulu at 808/523-4141; Stephen Yamashiro in Hawaii County at 808/961-8211; and Maryanne Kusaka in Kauai County at 808/241-6300.

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BJA 98-007-HI

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