$3.5M anti-crime grant expected to arrive soon
A federal grant aimed at putting a choke hold on Katrina-related crime in Jackson is expected to be distributed soon to area law enforcement agencies.
The grant is to improve the justice system from arrest to conviction to handle the population rise after Hurricane Katrina, Simpson said.
“With the pure increase in population comes an increase in the number of people with criminal backgrounds, felons and those with various drug addictions. This has happened in other cities, and Jackson is no exception,” Simpson said.
The grant is also expected to pay for an additional Hinds County Circuit Court judge, support staff for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and a joint task force coordinated by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
Both the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department and the Jackson Police Department are expected to contribute as many as three deputies and three officers to the task force. The grant is expected to cover the officers’ salaries.
Clarion Ledger
7/5/8
Magnolia Tribune
