Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) announced $13,309,311 from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that will aid local and State law enforcement efforts to prevent and control crime.

Of that total, $1,782,718 is going to expedite the processing of DNA evidence so criminals can be held accountable in a quicker timeframe. Additionally, $2,000,000 will be used for crime prevention efforts in the Baton Rouge area including TRUCE and others.

"The defund the police movement set us back years and now criminals are emboldened like never before. And it's not just in Baton Rouge or Lafourche – it's everywhere. Louisiana is making the headlines for crime rates. This should be a wake-up call for everyone. And not only is there a consistent crime crisis, but there is also a backlog in DNA processing so criminals are out on the streets even longer wreaking havoc. We deserve safety and security, not fear or vulnerability. We are continuing to work with the DOJ, sheriff's offices and others to identify more funding for our law enforcement community," Graves said.

Examples of the DNA backlog's implication on our communities can be found here, here and here.

Grants:

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program:

• Recipient: State of Louisiana
  • Amount of Award: $3,514,042
• Recipient: Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office
  • Amount of Award: $28,412
• Recipient: East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office
  • Amount of Award: $210,193
• Recipient: Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office
  • Amount of Award: $14,586
• Recipient: Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
  • Amount of Award: $17,735
• Recipient: Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office
  • Amount of Award: $978,949
• Recipient: Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office
  • Amount of Award: $36,991

FY 22 DNA Capacity Enhancement For Backlog Reduction (CEBR):

• Recipient: State of Louisiana
  • Amount of Award: $1,782,718

BJA FY 22 Office of Justice Programs Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative:

• Recipient: Reclamation & Restoration Ministries
  • Amount of Award: $1,498,637
• Recipient: City of Baton Rouge
  • Amount of Award: $2,000,000

BJA FY 22 Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes:

• Recipient: Louisiana Parole Project, Inc.
  • Amount of Award: $900,000

OVC FY22 Preventing Trafficking of Girls

• Recipient: EMPOWER 225
  • Amount of Award: $499,985

BJA FY 22 Project Safe Neighborhoods

• Recipient: Baton Rouge Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Foundation
  • Amount of Award: $91,149

Veterans treatment court discretionary grant program

• Recipient: 19th Judicial District Court
  • Amount of Award: $700,000

Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program

• Recipient: LA Commission on Law Enforcement
  • Amount of Award: $293,954

Second Chance Act Addressing the Needs of Incarcerated Parents and Their Minor Children

• Recipient: LA Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections
  • Amount of Award: $741,960

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