Sheriff to seek $445,000 grant for public safety programs

The Board of Supervisors today authorized RiversideCounty Sheriff Stan Sniff to seek a $445,413 grant from the U.S. JusticeDepartment in support of programs that enhance public safety.

Funds from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant can beused for training, equipment and initiatives that reduce drug abuse, offerresources to victims of crime and protect minors.

The county has received EBMJA grants in the last two years totaling morethan $2.36 million, though the money has been shared with cities within thecounty, according to sheriff’s documents.

According to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, which administers thegrants, more than $5 billion has been awarded to states and local jurisdictionssince the program’s inception in 2005.