September 26, 2023

Manchin Announces $6.4 Million to Strengthen Justice Systems, Promote Public Safety Across West Virginia

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $6,499,254 from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to strengthen public safety throughout West Virginia. The funding will specifically be used to expand substance use disorder treatment and recovery services, support local law enforcement, bolster forensic science research and services and prevent domestic violence.

“All West Virginians deserve to feel safe in their communities, and we must work together to protect our friends, neighbors and children. I’m pleased the Department of Justice is investing nearly $6.5 million in supporting West Virginia’s law enforcement, combatting the drug epidemic, advancing critical forensic science research and more. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to keep West Virginia neighborhoods secure from any threat that comes our way,” said Senator Manchin.

Individual awards listed below:

The DOJ Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Site-based Program supports state and local efforts to address illicit substance use and misuse, reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety and expand access to prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services in the justice system.

  • $1,300,000 – Berkeley County Commission
  • $1,293,542 – City of Martinsburg
  • $1,000,000 – Monongalia County Health Department

The DOJ Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program supports state and local initiatives to prevent and control crime through targeted support of law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs, education programs, substance use disorder treatment programs and more.

  • $1,344,844 – West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services
  • $81,127 – Kanawha County Commission
  • $73,924 – City of Charleston
  • $68,424 – City of Wheeling
  • $64,955 – City of Huntington
  • $43,936 – City of Parkersburg
  • $33,133 – County of Putnam
  • $30,251 – Nicholas County Commission
  • $23,376 – Logan County Commission
  • $22,065 – Raleigh County Commission
  • $21,936 – City of Beckley
  • $19,251 – City of Bluefield

The DOJ Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes Program supports research toward the development of accurate, reliable, cost-effective, and rapid methods for the identification, analysis, and interpretation of forensic evidence for criminal justice purposes.

  • $494,268 – West Virginia University

The DOJ Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program provides funding to improve forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services.

  • $312,708 – West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services

The DOJ Project Safe Neighborhoods Formula Grant Program supports efforts to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

  • $86,210 – Young Women’s Christian Association, Wheeling
  • $77,270 – West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services

The DOJ State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program supports the critical efforts of state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions.

  • $108,034 – West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence