$3 million in crime-fighting grants awarded

Art Nadler

Friday, June 14, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Thanks to the Department of Justice, Nevada is getting a chunk of money to take a bite out of crime.

The state was awarded $2.2 million Thursday under the Edward Byrne Memorial Formula Grant Program, which with a previous grant of $1.2 million, brings the total to $3.4 million.

According to Mary Lynn Evans, administrator of the state Office of Criminal Justice Association, most of the money will be used to target juvenile issues.

"Very few of the youth task forces would exist without this money," Evans said. "I feel the money is quite important because it allows us to assist the courts."

The Byrne program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, has been in existence since 1988, Evans said. Money in the past has been used to fund student Drug Abuse Resistance Education programs, violent crime and drug task forces and to enhance police laboratories.

Also, funding paid for the alcohol, drug and parenting curriculum at the Onyhee detention facility near Elko. A task force to aid juveniles has recently been established in Mesquite, Evans said.

"The key to fighting crime in Nevada is ensuring that Nevada's law enforcement officials have the tools they need to get the job done," Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said in a written statement. "This grant will allow Nevada's law enforcement to attack crime head on and allow them to improve projects aimed at fighting crime."

The new funding officially takes effect July 1, Evans said, but already police departments and courts throughout the state are upgrading their lines of communication in anticipation.

"This $2.2 million represents a big vote of confidence for Nevada's hard-working law enforcement professionals," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a written statement. "It will support programs like gang task forces and local crime prevention initiatives."

Clark County is one of 10 counties that will receive $806,238 under the grant for the 1996 fiscal year. Other entities receiving funds are Indian reservations and state agencies dealing with juvenile drug and task forces.

State and local governments are also being given a chance to apply for more Department of Justice funding under the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants Program. Direct awards of $2.5 million have been approved for 13 entities around the state that submit applications by Aug. 9.

In part, $1,733,415 has been earmarked for Metro Police, $183,669 for the North Las Vegas Police Department and $73,300 for the Henderson Police Department.

These funds can be used for hiring, training and employing new law enforcement officers; enhancing security around schools; establishing support for drug courts and enhancing the adjudication of violent crime cases involving juvenile offenders.

Upon approval, the funds will be distributed in September.

Funding for both programs was approved when President Clinton signed an appropriations bill April 26.