Hawaii to Receive More than $1.1 Million to Support Law Enforcement

Press Release

Hawaii will receive $1,104,803 to help state and county law enforcement agencies with new programs, training, hiring, drug treatment and enforcement, and community outreach programs, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa announced today.

The money comes from a series of FY 12 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) administered by the U.S. Department of Justice.

"Providing for the safety of our residents and visitors is one of the government's principal responsibilities and I am very pleased that these funds will be used to address the critical issues facing our state and county law enforcement agencies at a time when budgets are tight. Crime in Hawaii is relatively low compared to comparable jurisdictions on the Mainland but we do have our issues with property crimes, drug offenses and a violent crime rate that has crept up 3.9 percent over the last decade. I thank the administration for investing in Hawaii's police officers, state and county prosecutors because we must do everything we can to support the work they do to keep our communities safe," said Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

"The Byrne Justice Assistance Grants are particularly helpful in Hawaii, because they give the state and counties flexibility to balance resources in response to new challenges and changing needs," said Senator Akaka. "I thank President Obama and the Department of Justice for keeping the safety of people in the islands a priority."

"While law enforcement agencies across our country face tight budgets, continued Byrne Grant investments help ensure Hawaii's professionals have the tools to keep Hawaii safe and tackle crime on streets and seek justice in our courtrooms. Cuts to the Byrne Grant program by the Republican House were one reason why I voted against the most recent Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill. I am hopeful that funding levels will be restored in the final bill that becomes law. Mahalo to all of Hawaii's dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecutors who work each day to protect our island communities," said Congresswoman Hirono.

"I want to thank the Justice Department for this additional investment in the safety and protection of Hawaii's residents and visitors. Particularly as our counties find themselves facing difficult decisions about allocating resources, these funds will play an important role in advancing the investigation and prosecution of crimes across the state. Our residents deserve a modern, well-staffed criminal justice system and the security that comes with effective police work. These grants will go far in serving the needs of our community," said Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa.

Hawaii Department of the Attorney General: $926,191

The state of Hawaii will support the following five major program areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) corrections and community corrections programs; 4) drug treatment and enforcement programs; and 5) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs. Hawaii's JAG strategy addresses five major criminal justice program areas that need resources in order to increase public safety; address violent crime, property crime, drug threats, and drug related crime; reduce offender recidivism; and provide offender reentry and technology improvement efforts.

County of Maui: $48,471

The County of Maui, through the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, proposes to utilize the FY 2012 JAG Award funds to hire a full-time prosecutor, exclusively to prosecute violators of traffic crimes with the maximum sentencing, and to address the legal consequences of these crimes to community agencies and public forums with an end result of promoting traffic safety. The prosecutor will also provide education and training materials for community presentations and related government agencies. The Department is unable to fund a deputy prosecuting attorney with County funds. Consequently, funding this project will assist in the reduction of OUI traffic crimes, and promote a safer driving environment in the County of Maui.

Hawaii County: $88,650

Hawaii County will use the JAG award to purchase computer hardware/software, upgrade current justice information systems and providetraining to law enforcement staff. The project goal is to increase essential law enforcement services.

County of Kauai: $41,491

The County of Kauai will use the JAG award to fund salary costs and provide training for law enforcement staff. The project goals are to increase essential law enforcement services.