WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps announced a one-year, $268,305 federal Byrne grant for San Luis Obispo County.  The Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program is administered by the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs.  It is a partnership among federal, state, and local governments to create safer communities. 

With this Byrne grant, the County will be able to purchase equipment for the creation of a regional DNA laboratory, which will provide faster turnaround on all DNA testing, providing results within weeks.  It will also provide for qualified and specialized testimony in court when necessary.  More effective DNA testing will help reduce both violent crime and their often nonviolent precursors, increase investigative efficiency, and reduce case backlog at the state level.  Providing DNA evidence in a timely manner will allow the District Attorney to have all available evidence as soon as possible, as well as help preserve defendants’ rights to speedy trials.

“I am very pleased to announce this important crime fighting grant for the County,” said Capps.  “We are blessed by having many dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecuters who work to make our communities safer.  This new DNA lab is another important tool to support their efforts to fight crime and increase public safety.  I’m proud to support them in this effort.”

Congresswoman Capps has been a longtime supporter of the Byrne grant program, which helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts.   Byrne grants are used to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system - with emphasis on violent crime and serious offenders - and enforce state and local laws. Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws. Grants also may be used to provide assistance to victims of these offenders.

###

Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.