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DOJ Press Release letterhead

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
https://ojp.gov/
Office of Justice Programs
Contact: Sandra Gunn
Phone: (202) 307-0703
TTY: (202) 514-1888

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AWARDS MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO FIGHT CRIME IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, MN

         WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice today announced more than $1 million in anti-crime funding to Hennepin County, Minnesota through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and improve the criminal justice system.

         The JAG program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance, allows states, tribes and local governments to support criminal justice activities based on local needs and priorities. JAG funds may be used for training, personnel, equipment, and information systems for law enforcement programs. The funds may also be used for prosecution and court programs, drug treatment programs, corrections programs, technology improvement programs, and others.

         "These funds will provide Hennepin County with the resources they need to partner with the Justice Department in combating crime and protecting communities," Assistant Attorney General Regina B. Schofield said.

         The JAG program will allocate more than $300 million this year to U.S. states and territories. Additional funding is being made available to local governments. In total, Minnesota will receive over $6.4 million.

         Awards through the JAG program are determined by a formula that includes a minimum allocation to each state. Additional funds based on the state's population and crime statistics are included in the award. JAG requires that states subgrant a portion of the funds to local units of government, such as a city, county, township or town. Faith-based and other community organizations are eligible to receive pass-through funding from the state, as are tribal governments.

         First available in fiscal year 2005, JAG combines the previous Byrne Formula and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Programs to provide agencies with a single grant program that simplifies the administrative process and encourages states and communities to spend funds where they are most needed.

         The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Assistant Attorney General Regina B. Schofield, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has five component bureaus: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime. Additionally, OJP has two program offices: the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy, and the Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART) Office. More information can be found at https://ojp.gov.

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