U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder today announced that more than $6 million in stimulus funds will go to Hawaii to maintain or increase public safety while creating or retaining jobs within the law enforcement community.

These Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds are part of more than $4 billion in Justice Department stimulus funds available to assist state, local and tribal law enforcement and for other criminal justice activities that help to prevent crime and improve the criminal justice system in the United States while supporting the creation of jobs and much needed resources for states and local communities.
As submitted in their application, the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General plans to support efforts to address sex crimes; gang violence; property crimes; cyber crimes; court services; specialized courts (e.g. drug and mental health courts); offender treatment services; mental health treatment and case management; youth services; reentry programs and services; substance abuse treatment; drug enforcement; and criminal justice information systems and technological needs. Hawaii is required to provide a portion of the $6.4 million to the local jurisdictions.
“By addressing Hawaii’s economic challenges while simultaneously meeting the state’s public safety priorities, these funds represent the best of what the Recovery Act can do for our communities,” Holder said in a statement. “This vital funding will help fight crime and build safer communities, and we look forward to continued work with Hawaii to address these criminal justice goals.”