The United States Department of Justice awarded Arizona a $47 million grant for aiding victims of crime.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said this is the largest federal grant it has received in recent years, topping last year’s total of $41 million. DPS Director Col. Frank Milstead said this money will be given to groups around the state to help victims of crime.
“Without these dollars, the victims of crime would not have the services that we currently provide,” Milstead said. “And because of the new amount of dollars that have come in, we are able to do it at a much higher level.”
Advocacy, domestic violence and child assistance centers, along with law enforcement agencies can apply now through August 5 for the grant money. DPS Capt. Damon Cecil said there’s a workshop on July 12 and July 13 to help groups with the grant-writing and application process.
“All of these grants are competitively given, so you have to apply and you’re competing with other advocacy groups for these monies,” Cecil said.
If funds are awarded, those groups will then provide money or services to people who need it.
Milstead said the grant money comes from collected penalty fees, forfeited bail bonds, U.S. Courts and more. He said besides helping victims of crime, a benefit of this grant is that the dollars go back into the Arizona economy.
For more information on the workshop or to apply for grant money, visit the department’s website.