Washington, DC (August 28, 2007) – Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $23,110 to the City of Alice and $21,475 to Jim Wells County under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.  The money will allow Alice to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime.

“This grant will help our police departments better deter crime and make our communities a safer place,” said Hinojosa. “It will enhance our officers’ capabilities by giving them the tools they need so they can best do their job.”

The city of Alice will utilize the JAG funding to support overtime costs for police officers assigned to the Dark Alliance Program. The initiative focuses on the prevention and apprehension of individuals committing crimes in neighborhoods that experienced vandalism and burglaries during the evening and early morning hours. Ten percent of the allocation will also be applied toward costs associated with the management of this award.

Jim Wells County will use the funding to purchase radars, Tasers, portable breath testers, window tint meters, and night-vision goggles in an effort to combat the illegal flow of narcotics and other criminal activities along roadways within the community.