MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded grants totaling $836,046 to reduce crime and assist victims of child abuse, domestic violence and rape in north Alabama.

The grants, including three economic stimulus grants, will support seven programs that assist victims or fight drug-related crime in nine counties.

“Some of these agencies and organizations provide services that help reduce the impact of illegal drugs and hold criminals accountable for their actions, while the others provide professional assistance to victims,” Riley said. “The organizations that provide shelter and service to victims depend heavily upon individual contributions, so I urge area residents to be generous in their support.”

The organizations receiving grants are:

·         City of Florence – $296,383 economic stimulus grant for the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force. The unit combines the resources of the district attorney’s office, the county Sheriff’s Office, the Florence Police Department and the University of North Alabama’s Department of Public Safety to investigate, arrest and prosecute drug offenders in the county.

·         Crisis Services of North Alabama – $223,180 to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. Emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, individual and group counseling and legal aid are available at the organization’s main facility in Madison County or satellite shelter in Morgan County.

·         National Children’s Advocacy Center – $143,603 to help victims of child abuse and family members not involved in the abuse in Madison County. Through the center, victims receive professional therapy. Family members who are not involved in the abuse are given support, information and referrals to social service agencies that may be of assistance through the Family Advocacy program.

·         Lawrence County Commission – $70,126 economic stimulus grant to hire a deputy to work with the county’s Domestic Violence Unit. The unit responds to domestic disturbances, arrests alleged abusers and collects evidence to be used in criminal cases.

·         Safeplace Inc. – $43,234 to aid domestic violence victims who live in rural areas of Marion and Winston counties. Through the Rural Services Project, Safeplace offers a 24-crisis line, safe shelter and counseling for victims. The center also provides a liaison who speaks Spanish to help victims among the area’s growing Hispanic population.

·         Limestone County Commission – $39,620 for the county juvenile court’s home detention/monitoring program. The program provides an alternative to incarceration for nonviolent juvenile offenders while holding them accountable for their actions.

·         Shoals Crisis Center – $20,000 economic stimulus grant to help the center retain adequate staffing levels to continue aid to rape victims in Franklin and Marion counties.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants which Riley awarded from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers