U.S. ATTORNEY KURT ALME ANNOUNCES AWARDS OF $9 MILLION IN GRANTS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY, SERVE CRIME VICTIMS IN MONTANA'S TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

BILLINGS— U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme today announced $9,061,668 in Department of Justice grants to improve public safety, serve victims of crime and support youth programs in tribal communities in Montana.

“American Indian and Alaska Native communities experience rates of violent crime and domestic abuse that are among the highest in the nation,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The awards announced today underscore the Department of Justice’s deep commitment to improving public safety in tribal communities throughout the United States. This administration will continue to work closely with our tribal partners to guarantee that they have the resources they need to combat violence and bring criminals to justice.”

"Our American Indian neighbors deserve to be safe. Methamphetamine, alcohol and now COVID-19 are causing significant violence in our tribal communities. We are very pleased that these funds are going directly to our tribal governments to enhance public safety and protect women and other victims of crime," U.S. Attorney Alme said.

A total of more than $103 million is being awarded to tribes across the country under the Justice Department’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation. CTAS supports activities that enhance law enforcement and tribal justice practices, expand victim services and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts. CTAS grants are administered by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs ($41.5 million), Office on Violence Against Women ($39.1 million) and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services ($22.5 million).

Montana tribes receiving CTAS grants totaling $5,024,552 are the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation, $683,864; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, $3,024,726; and the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, $1,315,962.

An additional $113 million is being awarded to 133 applicants nationwide under the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program. This program, managed by OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime, is designed to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims of crime and promote other public safety initiatives.

Montana tribes receiving Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program grants totaling $4,037,116 are the Crow Tribe, $898,003; Fort Belknap Indian Community, $694,698; Chippewa Cree Tribe, $478,311; Blackfeet Tribe, $1,188,088; and the Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes, $778,016.

“Public safety officials and victim service providers in Indian country face exceptional challenges, but they bring to their work an extraordinary array of skills and resources that enable them to meet and overcome any obstacle,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to help fulfill Attorney General Barr's strong commitment – and the federal government's long-standing responsibility – to our tribal partners in the matter of their citizens' safety and wellbeing.”

In addition to the CTAS and Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside awards, the Office on Violence Against Women is making additional tribal awards of more than $31 million to support a wide range of efforts to address the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.

“OVW’s funding supports Native American and Alaska Native communities as they work across their communities to prevent and respond to gender based violence,” said OVW Principal Deputy Director Laura L. Rogers. “These awards represent the strong commitment that OVW has made to help protect the most vulnerable members of tribal communities.”

Additional awards to support tribal public safety efforts are being made by OJP and the COPS Office. These grants will provide community policing training and other training and technical assistance. Awards will also address the needs of tribal youth, fund tribal reentry efforts, help tribes combat substance abuse and manage sex offenders, and support tribal research. In addition, funds support efforts in 17 tribal communities to address the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.

“Ensuring our nation’s tribal communities have the resources they need is paramount for the COPS Office and the Department of Justice,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “These awards are a critical component to the overall public safety strategy for tribal law enforcement and the COPS Office is honored to provide vital resources to hire more sworn officer positions, advance tribal training and procure equipment needed to keep communities safe.”

A full listing of all the announced CTAS awards is available here.

A full listing of all Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program awards is available here.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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