TO:

News Directors, Editors

FROM:

Renee Hoffman
Director of Public Affairs

Public Hearing on the Distribution of Local Law Enforcement Block Grants

In accordance with the federal guidelines governing the distribution of Local Law Enforcement Block Grants, the Governor's Crime Commission is holding a public hearing to receive comments on how this year's federal funding should be spent.

The hearing will be held on September 3, 2003, from 9:00 a.m. until noon at the Governor's Crime Commission office, located at 1201 Front Street, Raleigh. Those who choose not to attend the hearing may submit a written request for a copy of the list from the Governor's Crime Commission.

This year, grants worth $822,593 will be distributed to 56 local jurisdictions, the most in the state's history. These funds will be used by small law enforcement agencies that have demonstrated unusual hardships from budget cuts that would seriously impair their ability to provide basic public safety services in their communities. These areas include the replacing of outdated safety and field equipment for officers, improvements in incident based crime reporting, field communications, and linkage to the state's Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN).

For more information about this hearing, please contact Craig Turner at (919) 733-4564.