Shoreline Police Receive Federal Grant Money for Radar Units and Portable Breath Testers

U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs granted more than $5 million to enhance law enforcement activities in Washington State. 

The awards will be used for critical needs identified by the individual communities, including Shoreline. The money will go to anti-gang activities, technology upgrades, training, support for officers in public schools, and victim’s services. 

The largest single grant, $4.5 million, is designed to support multi-jurisdictional efforts to combat gang-related drug trafficking and violence.  The funds help pay for task forces and prosecution that target violent offenders and criminal gangs.  That award is to be administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce.  An additional $544,750 goes directly to local police forces for a variety of needs.

“From the smallest police departments to our largest task forces, these funds make a difference – picking up costs of technology and training to keep our officers well equipped and ready to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “Whether it is for cameras in patrol cars, forensic equipment or training to recognize terrorist threats, these are carefully screened and important expenditures.  At a time when law enforcement agencies are struggling to meet needs because of budget cuts, these additional funds will help fill some gaps.”

Communities receiving Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grants are:

Auburn - $33,631 for community policing activities

Bremerton - $37,724 to partially fund a community resource officer

Burien - $23,082 for officer training

Centralia - $12,153 for equipment for traffic control unit

Federal Way - $41,311 for forensic equipment and training

Kent - $66,460 for security cameras for police station and jail

Lakewood - $67,346 for patrol car video systems

Longview/ Cowlitz County - $16,794 for a school resource officer

Lynnwood - $16,246 for forensic equipment and SWAT training

Olympia - $16,414 for technology upgrades to video storage system

Puyallup - $18,651 for firing range training system

Renton - $36,753 to support training, crime prevention and victim services

SeaTac - $18,988 for firearms training and terrorism related training courses

Shoreline - $13,081 for radar units and portable breath testers

Skagit County - $10,887 for victim services

Thurston County - $36,795 technology upgrades

Vancouver/Clark County - $115,197 for technology upgrades

The Byrne Grants are named in honor of New York City Police Officer Edward R. Byrne, who was killed in the line of duty on February 26, 1988.  Officer Byrne was just 22 years old.  The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers this program, which allows state and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the justice system.