Rep. McNally announces more than $30k in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grants

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced $30,962.74 in federal grants, administered by the Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) in the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS), to as part of the federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant (JAG) Program funding. 

“There are many components of our justice system in need of work, and these dollars support that work. We should always be striving to make our communities and society safer,” said Rep. McNally. 

Named after Edward “Eddie” R. Byrne, a New York City Police Officer who was murdered by a violent drug gang as he sat on patrol in a marked police car, guarding the home of a cooperating witness, the JAG program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. It supports a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, crime victim and witness initiatives, mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams, and implementation of state crisis intervention court proceedings and related programs or initiatives including, but not limited to, mental health courts, drug courts, veterans courts, and extreme risk protection order programs. 

OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year, including the JAG program. OCJS also evaluates programs and develops technology, training, and products for criminal justice professionals and communities. The JAG grant applications for projects with start dates on January 1, 2024, lasting through December 31, 2024, were due to the OCJS on June 5, 2023. This funding release includes 153 projects in 56 counties and more than $5 million in investments.

“I’m thankful these dollars will enhance community safety and the law enforcement operations in our area,” said Rep. McNally. 

Entities receiving funds in District 59 include: 

·         $19,462.74 for the Columbiana County Commissioner’s office for the Columbiana County Drug Task Force

·         $11,500 for Mahoning County for advanced training in the Sheriff’s office