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Friday, February 07, 2014

February 7, 2014

LAW ENFORCEMENT INVITED TO APPLY FOR $1 MILLION IN GRANTS

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Money Seized from Crime to be Put to Good Use in Communities: Minister Swan

Law enforcement agencies from across the province can now apply for approximately $1 million in grants to be used for specialized equipment, training and other tools to improve community safety, Justice Minister Andrew Swan announced today.
“Manitoba’s successful criminal property forfeiture program has created another opportunity for us to put valuable resources in the hands of police officers,” said Minister Swan.  “We are aggressively pursuing every opportunity to take money out of criminal activity and put it to work with the people and organizations dedicated to making our neighbourhoods safer.”
Money that has been unlawfully obtained or used in unlawful activity can be seized by the province under the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act.  It is then deposited into the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund and redistributed to law enforcement agencies through grants.
“This program has become a tremendous success by taking profit out of crime” said Devon Clunis, president of the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police.  “These grants help Manitoba police agencies by providing new equipment, training and support for very important public safety initiatives.”
Law enforcement agencies must apply for funds and explain how the new tools and resources would promote safer communities or enhance the practices and training of law enforcement officers.  Applications must be received by Manitoba Justice by Monday, March 10.  Successful applications will be announced in the spring.
Last summer, over $1 million in grants was provided to law enforcement agencies across the province.  Manitoba’s victims’ services unit and contraband tobacco investigation unit also received funding to support their important work, Minister Swan noted.  Other approved grants distributed in 2013 included:
  • more than $356,000 for the Winnipeg Police Service to purchase two cargo vans to transport offenders and officers, surveillance equipment, an automated licence plate reader, specialized training for officers and other resources;
  • more than $277,000 for RCMP detachments across the province to purchase computerized driver safety signs, ballistics helmets, a portable bunker and night vision equipment;
  • a new, dedicated vehicle for Morden’s K9 unit; and
  • a digital fingerprinting system for the Altona Police Service.

More than $7 million in assets has been successfully forfeited to Manitoba through criminal property forfeitures since 2010.  There are currently more than 150 forfeiture files being pursued involving vehicles, properties and cash.

For more information about criminal property forfeitures, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/justice/safe/cpf/index

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