LAS VEGAS, Nev. - U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada today announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs has awarded $7,385,200 in grant funding to the Nevada Department of Public Safety to respond to the public safety challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
The grant is among the most recent to be awarded through the $850 million available under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump. This program allows eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The Office of Justice Programs is moving quickly, aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after receiving an application. In addition to statewide awards, many local jurisdictions within these states are eligible for direct awards. A list of all awards can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/cesf/awards.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich stated: “We are thankful to the Office of Justice Programs for making over $7.3 million available to the Nevada Department of Public Safety. These funds will provide critical support and help ensure public safety throughout the state during this public health crisis."
“The outbreak of COVID-19 and the public health emergency it created are sobering reminders that even the most routine duties performed by our nation’s public safety officials carry potentially grave risks," said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “These funds will provide hard-hit communities with critical resources to help mitigate the impact of this crisis and give added protection to the brave professionals charged with keeping citizens safe."
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act gives jurisdictions considerable latitude in the use of funds for dealing with COVID-19. Potential uses include hiring personnel, paying overtime, purchasing protective equipment and distributing resources to hard-hit areas. Funds may also be used to help correctional facilities cover costs related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, sanitation, contagion prevention and measures designed to address the related medical needs of inmates, detainees and correctional personnel.
The solicitation, posted by the Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance, will remain open for at least 60 days. As a top priority, the Office of Justice Programs will fund successful applicants on a rolling basis as it receives applications. Grantees may apply the funds retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for the emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations is available at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations. For more information, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553.
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
