For Release: Immediate  Date: June 12, 2002

Contacts: Amanda Wherry (919) 733-5612 Renee Hoffman 733-5027

RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today announced that the Governor's Crime Commission (GCC) has awarded more than $30.4 million in federal grant money to help at-risk youth, assist victims of violent crimes, and provide law enforcement officers with the high-tech communications they need to protect North Carolina citizens.

Easley has directed more than $6.7 million of the grant money to help at-risk youth by funding community-based day, after school, weekend and summer programs; school readiness programs; and services for families of at-risk youth.

"All of North Carolina's children deserve every chance to succeed," said Easley. "These community programs give at-risk children a better opportunity to become productive and responsible citizens. We have a choice - we can fund these types of programs now, or we can spend the money on prisons down the road."

In addition to programs for at-risk youth, the GCC is also funding $12 million for victims' services programs, $6.7 million for drug control and substance abuse programs, and $5 million for information and technology systems for law enforcement.

"The grant review process was highly competitive this year, with over 600 pre-applications submitted," said Linda Hayes, chair of the Commission. "After reviewing the applications, the Commission determined that these grants were the most effective, addressing the greatest needs across the state and the criminal justice system."

The money is appropriated by Congress to the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for distribution to the states. The U.S. Department of Justice provides funds for Drug Control and System Improvement, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and Victim of Crime Act programs. Children's Justice grants are funded by the Department of Health and Human Services.

"These grants provide much needed resources for agencies that work at all levels of the criminal justice system to make our state safer," said Crime Control & Public Safety Secretary Bryan Beatty. "We are especially proud of those local programs that provide support for crime victims, help at-risk youth, and improve law enforcement efficiency."

This year's funds will be disbursed among 294 local and state agencies in North Carolina. The grants are administered by the GCC.

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