Maine Department Of Public Safety And Portland Police Department Awarded Federal Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C.--U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins
today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded a combined $1,131,174 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funding to the MaineDepartment of Public Safety and the City of Portland.

 "This Department of Justice funding will help our hardworking law enforcement
officers get the essential equipment and key resources they need to do their
jobs safely and effectively," said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint
statement. "Funding provided through the JAG program is critical to
communities across the nation and in Maine and continues to provide vital
support for law enforcement activities that serve to safeguard our
communities."

The funding will be allocated as follows:

• Maine Department of Public Safety-- $1,020,910

• City of Portland-- $110,264

The Maine Department of Public Safety will use the JAG award to strengthen Maine’s
efforts to combat illicit drugs.  The City of Portland plans to purchase equipment, technology, and funding training to enhance law enforcement capabilities.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program allows states, tribes,
and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and
control crime based on their own 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 for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1- law
enforcement programs, 2- prosecution and court programs, 3- prevention and
education programs, 4- corrections and community corrections programs, 5- drug
treatment programs, and 6- planning, evaluation, and technology improvement
programs.

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