2014 Byrne Criminal Justice Grantees Announced

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the 2014 ByrneCriminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) grantees. With more than $7 million in awards, the 17 communities will use the funding for data-driven strategies to reduce crime and violence within their neighborhoods impacted by persistent violent and serious crime.

The 17 grantees include:

• Miami-Dade County, Florida
• Maine South Community Development Corporation, Massachusetts
• Kettering University, Michigan
• City of New Haven, Connecticut
• County of Alameda, California
• City and County of Denver – Denver Policy Department, Colorado
• City of Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Colorado
• Northwest NJ Community Action Partnership, Inc., New Jersey
• Urban League of Essex County, New Jersey
• City of Durham, North Carolina
• City of Battle Creek, Michigan
• City of Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Rockdale County, Georgia
• City of Huntington/Huntington Policy Department, West Virginia
• Board of Highlight County Ohio Commissioners, Ohio
• Coahoma, County of – Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi 

BCJI awards are made to cross-sector partnerships in each city to establish a team of community partners made of law enforcement, neighborhood residents, a local research partner, and relevant community stakeholders that can design a collaborative, community-oriented plan to reduce crime within their neighborhood. Engaging stakeholders from various sectors can, together, share resources and develop comprehensive, interconnected solutions to the complex issue of crime and safety.

As mentioned in the announcement, BCJI is part of the Obama Administration’s Promise Zones Initiative, a part of federal government's commitment to invest in and partner with high-poverty urban, rural, and tribal communities to create jobs, increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, leverage private investment, and reduce violent crime.