SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEW YORK CITY SET TO RECEIVE OVER $4 MILLION IN DOJ GRANT; INVESTMENT WILL HELP IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY IN NYC

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced a $4,038,230 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) from the Department of Justice that will focus on making New York City safer. This investment will support a range of program areas including prosecution initiatives to target violent offenders, crime prevention and education efforts, drug treatment and alternatives to incarceration, crime victim and witness support, and planning, evaluation and technology improvement programs. The funding will focus on District Attorneys' initiatives that target identity thieves, adult parolees, ganginvolved youth, "career criminals," violent gangs, hate crimes and drug traffickers.  Schumer and Gillibrand applaud the Department of Justice in their selection of the New York City Office of the Criminal Justice Coordinator for this JAG award, and the Department's work in helping local governments prevent and control crime.

"This is great news for all of New York City," said Schumer. "This investment will help make our streets and neighborhoods safer for children, families and seniors. When it comes to protecting our citizens we must be tough and smart, and this federal investment will help New York City improve the public safety system."

"We must remain vigilant and continue to provide local law enforcement with all the tools necessary to keep us safe," said Gillibrand. "This investment will provide critical resources to fight crime and protect our families and communities."

"This program honors Eddie Byrne, a 22yearold NYPD Officer who was shot and killed while protecting a witness who agreed to testify against violent drug dealers," said Chief Policy Advisor to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and New York City Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt. "By investigating and prosecuting violent gangs, combating cybercrime and enhancing datasharing among the City's criminal justice agencies, we will continue to honor his legacy and ensure New York remains the safest big city in the country."

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice. This can include any of the following purpose areas: law enforcement programs; prosecution and court programs; prevention and education programs; corrections and community corrections programs; drug treatment and enforcement programs; planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and crime victim and witness programs.