Two Wyandotte County agencies received grants today for the federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program.
The funds are provided to agencies to address crime and improve public safety. Local and state agencies may receive funding to reduce crime, assist with equipment and technology needs, provide crime victim services and prevention activities.
The two agencies receiving funding from today’s grant announcement were Avenue of Life, $238,940; and Edwardsville Police Department, $42,435.
Avenue of Life will use the grant for its reentry program, targeting the families of current and former incarcerated men and women through evidence-based and trauma-informed systems.
The Edwardsville Police Department will purchase updated in-car computer systems and add license plate readers.
A total of $1,885,599 was awarded to 23 agencies.
“My administration will continue to support investments in our state’s criminal justice system and public safety,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in announcing the grants. “These grant funds will go a long way in providing our law enforcement and criminal justice agencies with the resources they need to maintain a safe environment for Kansans.”
“One of the keys to keeping our communities safe in the 21st Century is making sure our law enforcement officers have 21st Century technology, as well as funds to continue deliver critical support programs,” Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a news release. “These grants will provide support to help organizations carry out their missions.”
The KCJCC oversees the criminal justice federal funding made available to Kansas through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The KCJCC membership is representative of the Governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Corrections, the Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.