By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, January 18, 2017, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the Dallas County Commission. The $300,000 grant will assist the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office in reducing violent crime.
Gov. Bentley said in a statement, “We try to help local law enforcement and local district attorney’s offices reach their goals of preventing crime any way we can. By providing these CDBG funds, we are able to help communities in Dallas County become safer places to live, work and raise a family. I commend the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the Dallas County Commission for addressing these issues head on and being proactive against violent crime.”
The Dallas County Commission is planning to provide funds for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office to reduce violent crime and create safer communities. By training law enforcement on the recognition, methods and techniques associated with violent criminal behavior, engaging in community outreach and increasing drug and gun seizures, the District Attorney’s Office expects to facilitate a reduction in violent crime by utilization of these funds.
CDBG grants are made available through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
ADECA Director Jim Byard said, “Safe communities are important to everyone. Through a series of partnerships, ADECA can help communities reduce violent crimes. I am pleased to support the Fourth Judicial Drug Task Force in helping reduce violence in Dallas County.”
The CDBG program provides communities with resources to meet development needs.
Dallas County and Selma saw a massive spike in violence in 2015 and 2016 as drug gangs battled over territory and the drug business.
