Governor Patrick Morrisey announced today that he has awarded  $1,075,792.00 in Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program funds to forty (40) projects statewide.  These funds will be used to assist state agencies, local units of government, and private non-profit agencies in carrying out specific programs that improve the criminal justice system. Special emphasis was placed on multi-jurisdictional projects and statewide projects that seek to create and/or retain jobs in the criminal justice system in West Virginia.

These funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs,  Bureau of Justice Assistance and are administered by the Justice and Community Services (JCS) Section of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services (DAS).

The City of Bridgeport was among those receiving a cut of the funding in a pair of grants. The first was to the tune of $25,000. 

Those funds will be used to employ one or more Prevention Resource Officers (PROs) to act as mentors, role models, and advocates for students in West Virginia schools. Bridgeport has long-time PRO Jamie Hamrick as well as newcomer Austin Ash serving in the PRO role for the Bridgeport Police Department. 

Bridgeport also received another $60,000 for law enforcement. The funds will be used to combat the war on drugs and reduce incidents of violent crime.

 The Harrison County Commission received $40,000. The money will be used for one or more PRO officers.

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