Anti-gang and community policing programs will receive a substantial boost because of a new state grant adopted at Monday night's Board of Estimates meeting.
The unanimous approval of the 2009 Innovative Law Enforcement Program authorized Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Police Chief Noble Wray to accept $14,500 from the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance.
The funds will be used for ""innovative projects geared toward education, prevention and crime deterrence related to a local law enforcement need"" as well as ""enhance crime prevention and help provide needed services to the community,"" according to the grant's legislative file.
The Madison Police Department's plan for these newly acquired funds is centered on the creation of a ""unique Crime Prevention/Gang Unit that will make use of centralized intelligence to investigate criminal activity,"" according to the file.
The members of the Crime Prevention/Gang Unit will be provided with $4,329 in overtime and benefits, allowing them to work with at-risk youth and to present at business and community meetings.
The resources will also be used to launch a newly-developed program for sixth-grade students called ""Stepping Up and Respecting Environment, Education, Everyone!"" S.U.R.E.'s objective is to provide students with ""productive, healthy alternatives to gang participation"" and address rising crime issues on a large scale.
