Mikulski,Cardin Announce More thank $6 Million in Federal Funds to Fight Crime in Communities Across Maryland

Press Release

U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced that $6,062,413 in federal grant funding has been awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to municipalities across Maryland through the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (BJAG) program. These funds will be used to support public safety activities and reduce violent crime as well as crimes against victims and children throughout Maryland.

Senator Mikulski is Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Subcommittee, which fund DOJ. Senator Cardin is a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

"I've heard from state and local police from all over Maryland and around the country that the lack of funding means fewer cops on our streets fighting gangs, drugs, and child predators and fewer prosecutions of criminals," Chairwoman Mikulski said. "State and local law enforcement have been stretched and stressed, forced to do more with less. That's why I continue fighting so hard to put this funding in the federal checkbook. I am committed to giving law enforcement the tools they need to protect community safety, protect our families and fight crime."

"Keeping our neighborhoods safe from harm takes vigilance and professionalism, but it also takes continual training, proper resources and equipment, growth in manpower and effective court systems," said Senator Cardin. "This smart federal investment by the Department of Justice will bolster the effectiveness of Maryland's law enforcement and make our streets and communities safer for Maryland families."

This formula program allows state and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime, and to improve the criminal justice system. Byrne JAG funding is fast, flexible and effective in helping states and communities address emerging crime problems.

Byrne JAG is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Grants are administered through DOJ's Office of Justice Programs, and awarded based on a formula of population and violent crime statistics. The program provides critical funding needed to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.

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