FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County State Attorney Harold F. Pryor announced on Wednesday the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is allocating about 20% of a federal grant to the prosecution of gun-related crimes.
Pryor released a statement saying the police department awarded the Broward State Attorney’s Office $93,000, which will allow three staff members to focus on the city’s cases.
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“Gun violence has a severe impact on the safety of our community and we are working to ensure that violent, armed criminals and those who supply them with guns are held accountable,” Pryor said.
The U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance approved a $466,000 grant for the police department’s new Crime Gun Intelligence Center, or CGIC, to deal with shootings in the city.
State prosecutors will confer with federal prosecutors to strengthen cases, seek enhanced prison sentences when appropriate, and work on bond recommendations, according to Pryor.
The assistant state attorney in charge of the career criminal unit will participate in monthly meetings with the region’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or the NIBIN database, to help share information.
“We are very thankful to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and the federal government for highlighting this issue and providing funding to attack it,” Pryor said.