WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help cities and towns upgrade law enforcement equipment and technology and enhance the state's crime lab and medical examiner's offices, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced over $388,000 in federal crime prevention grants.

The Rhode Island Department of Public Safety will receive a $199,728 federal grant to help improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services in Rhode Island. The federal funds may be used for forensic science tools and techniques, including: investigation of controlled substances, firearms examination, forensic pathology, latent prints, questioned documents, toxicology, and trace evidence. This funding will help reduce the number of days between submission of a sample to a forensic science laboratory and delivery of test results to a requesting office or agency.

In addition, police departments in Central Falls, Cranston, Coventry, East Providence, North Providence, Warwick, and West Warwick will receive Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to purchase new police equipment and train law enforcement personnel.

"We must ensure our police departments have access to the latest crime-solving technology and equipment they need," said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees spending on Department of Justice programs. "These federal funds will help cities and towns purchase new equipment and support ongoing operations while also reducing the number of backlogged forensic cases. These grants allow local law enforcement officials and forensic scientists to use federal dollars to address some of their most pressing needs."

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funds are awarded to:

Central Falls: $38,783

Upgrade and purchase tactical equipment and technology. Specifically, the Central Falls Police Department will use grant funds to enhance computer system software and computer cooling systems. These significant enhancements will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement data and records.

Coventry: $10,513

Train the Coventry Police Department's 59 sworn officers and civilian personnel in Policing Ethics to help improve officer skills necessary to effectively work with the community and carry out job duties.

Cranston: $44,858

Purchase unmarked police cruisers for the Cranston Police Department. The purchase of these vehicles will be beneficial in replacing some of the current fleet, due to high mileage and costly repairs. These vehicles will be used by the plain clothes division for crime investigations, administrative duties, training related to transportation, and to supplement the marked patrol fleet as needed.

East Providence: $22,429

Purchase a multi-media interactive white board, lap top, LED alternate light, and two accelerometers. These equipment purchases will enhance crime prevention methods, crime analysis, forensic investigations, and traffic accident reconstruction.

North Providence: $13,901

Upgrade law enforcement computer software technology. This criminal justice software is beneficial in providing statewide records that includes criminal arrests, accidents, and incident reports.

Warwick: $37,148

Upgrade law enforcement equipment, communication, and technology for the Warwick Police Department. Specific purchases will include patrol car laptops, two public safety microwave RF Communication Link Systems and motorcycle patrol officer inclement weather gear.

West Warwick: $21,261

Purchase a marked police patrol cruiser. The purchase of the vehicle will be beneficial in replacing some of the current unsafe fleet, due to high mileage and costly repairs.

The federal grants are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice.