New Grants to Support Crime Prevention

The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded almost $250 million in grants to support crime prevention efforts by communities and law enforcement agencies as part of a new initiative called Celebrate Safe Communities. The initiative is aimed at helping local communities organize safety-focused events during National Crime Prevention Month each October.

This year's Celebrate Safe Communities event is planned throughout the U.S. Oct. 2-4.

"The burden of fighting crime and revitalizing America's communities falls most heavily on local law enforcement and neighborhood organizations," said Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey. "This funding will support a variety of efforts aimed at preventing and reducing violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity."

The Celebrate Safe Communities is designed to spotlight communities' crime prevention efforts, enhance public awareness of vital crime prevention and safety messages and recruit year-round support for ongoing prevention activities that help keep neighborhoods safe from crime, according to the DOJ.

"Effective crime prevention calls for a strong partnership between citizens and law enforcement," said Jeffrey L. Sedgwick, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "Celebrate Safe Communities brings these two groups together and puts them on the road to addressing their most pressing concerns."

See Also:
Department of Justice Announces Nearly $240 Million in Grants to Enhance Crime Prevention Efforts Across the Country

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