A U.S. Dept. of Justice grant could provide four gang officers for Duplin County.
Monday, Wallace asked the county commissioners to move ahead with the process by applying for a grant from the United States Department of Justice. The grant would pay for the salaries of four gang officers over three years. The only condition, Wallace told commissioners, is that the county would have to pick up the tab for one additional year of salaries after the grant expires.
Wallace noted that he supported the idea, saying that he thought it would help address the needs of the county without increasing the need for added taxpayer money.
Vice chairman Reginald Wells quickly made the motion to apply for the grant, officially named COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services)Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) — board member Frances Parks seconded.
Wallace told the board that if the grant comes through he would focus energies on two of the most dire of gang issues — suppression and education. Following the comment, the motion passed 5-0 in favor of applying for the federal dollars.
According to grants.gov, “there is no local match requirement for CHRP, but grant funding will be based on current entry-level salary and benefits packages ... CHRP grants will provide 100 percent of the funding for approved entry-level salary and benefits for three years for newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions.”
Before leaving the board, chairman Cary Turner asked Wallace if current resource officers on duty were active in schools. Wallace replied, “If they notice any sign of gang activity they relay that to our gang officers.”
Wallace was asked one more question by Parks. She asked if community members could help in an “educational way” as previously discussed at the last board meeting.
“We would be glad to help facilitate that,” Wallace answered. “We would be glad to submit a list of possible committee (members) if you are interested in that.”
Parks later commented during a break in the meeting “(I am) hoping that a group can come together with objectives to help reduce the amount of gang activity in Duplin County.”
Parks added that she would like to see it compromised of business, schools, churches and anyone else interested in joining.
Michael Connolly can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 120 or can be e-mailed at sicity@myclintonnc.com
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