Huntsville and Madison County to receive over $122,000 to fight violent crime

MONTGOMERY — Huntsville and Madison County were awarded grants from the state Monday totally $112,655 to fight violent crime.

A $45,415 grant from the state will enable the Madison County Sheriff’s Department to fight violent crime. The funds will be used to improve technology and purchase protective equipment to reduce injury of narcotics officers when conducting their duties.

Huntsville will receive $67,240 to upgrade technology of the North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center to enhance the focus on high-crime areas, violent crime and gang activities.

Gov. Kay Ivey awarded seven grants totaling more than $300,000 to help several Alabama communities become safer places to live, work and play.

Funds from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods will help Huntsville, Madison County and other cities, including Birmingham, Bessemer, Anniston and Jefferson County take steps to reduce violent crime in their neighborhoods by applying local initiatives.

“Alabamians deserve to grow up in neighborhoods without fearing for their safety or the safety of their children,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am encouraged that these local initiatives developed through this program will make our communities safer, change lives for the better and thwart those who are determined to do evil.”

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide program that brings together community leaders, law enforcement and judicial officers, elected leaders and others to examine crime issues and work to develop solutions.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state from the U.S. Department of Justice.

“ADECA is committed to working with Gov. Ivey and those representing the local initiatives to take back our neighborhoods and make sure that law-abiding citizens do not feel threatened by criminals,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.