Department of Justice Announces More than $2.3 Million in Federal Funding for Spokane County and the Spokane Police Department to Improve the Functioning of the Criminal Justice System, Combat Juvenile Delinquency, and Assist Victims of Violent Crime

Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, today announced three Department of Justice grants awarded in the Eastern District of Washington. One grant was awarded to Spokane County and allocates $500,000 to improve the criminal justice system, prevent and combat juvenile delinquency, and assist victims of crime. Spokane City, to include the Police Department, received two grant awards. One for the Spokane Police Department for $1,317,000 and a second to the city for $500,000. Both grants were issued with the intended goal to improve the criminal justice system.

Funding for these grants were awarded through the Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program. Pursuant to this program, $229,551,000 had been allocated nationally as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was passed in 2023.

Plans for this grant funding include: (1) acquiring additional aircraft by the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit (SRASU), which is a regional aviation unit dedicated to assisting and improving public safety; (2) improving technology to augment staff, improve outcomes for crime victims, replace antiquated technologies, and increase officer safety; and (3) increasing resources for supporting treatment to effectively address domestic violence.

In announcing these awards, U.S. Attorney Waldref stated, “It is critical that we work together – with our federal, state, and local partners to keep our communities safe and strong. The citizens of Spokane County deserve nothing less.” She continued, “These latest grant awards demonstrate the federal government’s continued commitment to ensuring the justice system is keeping up with technological advances, while maintaining the overall goal of decreasing crime and supporting those who fall victim to it. Right here in Eastern Washington, these funds fall in line with my Office’s Safe Home Safe Community Initiative, which focuses on curbing gun violence by removing firearms unlawfully possessed by individuals with a track record of violent crime and domestic violence – these efforts protect victims, law enforcement, and the entire community.”

Additional information about grants and funding through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs is available at https://www.ojp.gov/.