Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON-  U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $3.25 million in criminal justice grants for South Carolina.

Awards recipients include:

• South Carolina Department of Corrections will receive a $1.25 million grant to create a Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification program.  The system will consist of a real-time data collection network, a central data processing facility, network monitoring/management capability, and two-way communications capability.
• South Carolina Law Enforcement Division will receive a $981,015 grant to help reduce the backlog of DNA analysis and forensic casework.
• South Carolina Office of the Attorney General will receive a $500,000 grant to help combat Internet crimes against children.
• National District Attorneys Association in Columbia will receive a $500,000 grant to assist in hosting two training conferences on domestic violence.

All grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today announced more than $770,000 in grants to fire departments and rescue squads in South Carolina.

“Firefighters and emergency service personnel dedicate themselves to protecting the health and safety of South Carolinians,” said Graham.  “These grants will help our local fire departments and rescue squads by providing them the means to obtain the best equipment and training available.”

Grants were awarded in the following program areas:

Operations and Safety Program: The funds may be used for training, wellness, and fitness programs; the purchase of firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and modifications to fire stations and facilities.

Vehicle Acquisition Program: The funds may be used for the purchase of firefighting vehicles including pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.

The grants awarded include:

Aynor
Aynor Volunteer Rescue Squad will receive a $136,539 Vehicle Acquisition grant.

Belton
Rock Springs Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $124,097 Operations and Safety grant.

Chappells
Chappells Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $57,937 Operations and Safety grant.

Latta
Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $156,750 Vehicle Acquisition grant.

Orangeburg
Four Holes Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $203,823 Vehicle Acquisition grant.

Una
Una Fire Department will receive a $93,195 Operations and Safety grant.

The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community.  The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel. 

Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction.  Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share.  The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions.   In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year.

The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Emergency Management Division will receive a $1,605,606 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant to help Seabrook Island protect their wastewater treatment plant from storm surge.

The project modifications include converting 12 non-submersible wastewater pumps to submersible pumps, the flood proofing of 24 existing electrical panels, and the flood proofing of other components in the wastewater treatment plant. These upgrades will provide protection from the 500-year coastal storm surge. By providing this level of protection, it will prevent wastewater overflow and back-up into the residences, businesses, marshes and wetlands located within the community.

The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced North Charleston will receive a $200,000 grant to support the Weed and Seed program.

Weed and Seed aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in ‘weeding out’ criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and ‘seeding’ brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.

This is the second award for the North Charleston program which serves five neighborhoods in the community. During this project period, program goals include reducing drug dealing, prostitution, theft, and other crimes; increasing community policing efforts through greater visibility and participation in community events; providing human service programs to address the needs of residents; improving the physical condition of the neighborhoods; and increasing homeownership.

The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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