WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced nine grants from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for communities and law enforcement organizations throughout West Virginia for crime prevention and criminal justice efforts.

“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am dedicated to making sure our law enforcement has the right equipment and proper training to do their jobs,” said Senator Capito. “These grant awards will benefit several West Virginia organizations, improve operations in our communities and help keep residents safe.”

“Every day law enforcement officers across West Virginia put their lives in harm’s way to protect our communities. Ensuring they have the necessary resources to do their jobs well is one of my highest priorities. I am pleased to see this Department of Justice funding head to well deserving police departments across the state,” Senator Manchin said.

Individual awards are listed below: 

  • $433,742 – West Virginia State Police (DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program): Funds will assist the West Virginia State Police in the purchasing of new laboratory equipment and personnel to help expedite the turnaround time of samples submitted and uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

  • $12,927,595 – West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services (VOCA Victim Assistance Program): Funds are provided through the Crime Victims Fund to improve crime victim services throughout West Virginia.

  • $85,554 – West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act Implementation Grant): Funds will be used for hiring new personnel and upgrading equipment.

  • $1,235,991 – West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program): Funding will be used for implementing West Virginia’s Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) project. The primary focus of this project is substance abuse and violent crime.

  • $18,317 – City of Morgantown (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program): Funds will be used to enhance officer and public safety through the purchase of less than lethal weapons and peripherals.

  • $12,404 – Hampshire County (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program): Funds will be used to improve efficiency of effectiveness of Hampshire County’s police operations by purchasing equipment to assist with criminal investigation.

  • $14,075 – Clarksburg City (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program): Funds will be used to enhance safety and professionalism by purchasing in-car cameras for the Clarksburg Police Department.

  • $13,754 – Fayette County (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program): Funds will be used to purchase new safety and operations equipment that supports local law enforcement initiatives.

  • $31,878 – City of Beckley (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program): Funds will be used to purchase firearms storage, a polygraph machine, and forensic, audio-visual and IT equipment. These purchases will help enhance the department’s operations and public safety goals.

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