Montana

Montana Board of Crime Control announces $4M+ in grants

Posted: Jun 19, 2012 1:22 PM by MTN News

HELENA - The Montana Board of Crime Control announced on Tuesday that it has allocated more than $4 million in federal funding to local and state governmental agencies, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations to provide resources to address crime and provide criminal and juvenile justice services statewide.

The Board approved $4,056,124 for 100 programs operated by counties, tribal governments, and state agencies that will help fight juvenile delinquency, assist victims and provide funding for regional drug task forces.

The grants were made through several federal programs, including the Victims of Crime Act, Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention.

MBCC chairman Mike Anderson said in a press release, "These grants come at a time when agency budgets are strapped and crime prevention needs have grown. We welcome the innovative programs that these critical resources provide to help keep citizens and their communities safe."

The victim assistance programs will provide services for crisis intervention, legal advocacy, orders of protection and counseling. The Board funded 75 victim assistance programs across the state and says that the funding will serve more than 21,000 crime victims.

Seven grants support multi-jurisdictional drug task forces that create a unique localized drug enforcement response to the importation, manufacturing, distribution and possession of illegal drugs throughout the state. In response to some of the impact occurring as a result of the Bakken oil field boom, the Board allocated $79,353 to the Big Muddy River Drug Task Force that will allow the hiring of an additional law enforcement agent to work in eastern Montana.

Here is a breakdown of grant allocations:

Drug task forces - $914,178

Juvenile services - $544,275

Crime victim services - $1,540,913

Sexual assault victim services - $146,442

Domestic violence intervention - $100,000

Violence against women programs - $810,316

Click here to see the complete list of agencies and grant amounts (PDF).