$100,000 Anti-Gang Grant

July 23, 2010

Lewis County Prosecutor Michael Golden announced today that his office has been awarded $100,000 in federal grant monies for the prosecution and prevention of gangs and gang related crimes.

Part of the Gang Enforcement and Intervention Program grant will be used to offset current and future salary expenses related to gang prosecution, while the remainder will be used to enhance coordination with law enforcement and provide outreach activities for the recognition and prevention of gang related crime.

Today’s notice from the Washington State Department of Commerce that his recent application for the grant had been successful was good news. According to Golden, “This money allows me to further reduce the budget for the Prosecutor’s Office while intensifying our focus and impact on gang related crime in Lewis County.”

Citing the good work already done by his office and Centralia Police in fighting gang activity and the crimes that accompany it, Prosecutor Golden went on to say that this new resource for gathering and sharing information on gangs can be put into action quickly and effectively because of the good working relationship his office has with Chief Berg’s department. “When it comes to gangs, continued vigilance and decisive action are the keys to keeping their numbers down.”

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