BALTIMORE, MD—United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur announced on Friday that the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs has awarded more than $376 million in grant funding to enhance state, local, and tribal law enforcement operations and reinforce public safety efforts in jurisdictions across the United States.

More than $5 million will support public safety activities in Maryland.

“DOJ is able to partner with state and local law enforcement and communities that are working to improve public safety by providing grant funding and resources,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur. “These much needed grant funds will assist in our fight to reduce violent crime in Maryland, and will help fund programs to enhance crime prevention efforts in our local communities”

“Crime and violence hold families, friends and neighborhoods hostage, and they rip communities apart,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These programs help restore the health and safety of crime-ravaged communities by supporting prevention activities, aiding in the apprehension and prosecution of perpetrators, facilitating appropriate sentencing and adjudication, and providing communities and their residents the means for recovery and healing.”

The awards support an array of crime-fighting initiatives, including the quarter-billion dollar Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants Program, which funds public safety efforts in 929 state, local and tribal jurisdictions.

Funding also supports sex offender registration and notification, law enforcement-based victim services, the testing of sexual assault kits, and programs designed to address youth with sexual behavioral problems.

Other awards will focus on wrongful convictions, intellectual property enforcement, innovative prosecution strategies and the safety and effectiveness of corrections systems.

Baltimore County is set to receive approximately $321,731 and Harford County will receive approximately $30,239.