From the office of Governor Bob Riley:

MONTGOMERY— Five grants awarded by Gov. Bob Riley will help law enforcement agencies fight illegal drugs and violent crime and give support to organizations that assist victims.

A $302,522 economic stimulus grant will help fund the Wiregrass Violent Crime/Drug Task Force in Dale County and a stimulus grant of $265,000 is being awarded for the Geneva County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The units investigate, arrest and prosecute drug dealers and investigate drug-related violent crime.

Riley also awarded a $75,000 grant to support the Southeast Alabama Violent Crime/Narcotics Criminal Intelligence Program which allows law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, monitor and arrest dangerous criminals, drug dealers and child predators. The program serves Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties.

Two Dothan-based organizations that help child victims in the Wiregrass area–the Southeast Alabama Child Advocacy Center and the Wise Center for Child Abuse Prevention–also were awarded grants by Riley.

“These organizations play a significant role in putting criminals behind bars and providing assistance to innocent victims” said Riley. “I am pleased to support their efforts to protect the community and help victimized children to recover.”

The Child Advocacy Center, which serves Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties, was awarded a $171,272 grant. Services are also offered to victims in Barbour and Coffee counties when requested. The center provides counseling, forensic evaluations and court advocacy for child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse. The organization works with the state Department of Human Resources and district attorney’s offices to help victims and assist with the prosecution of abusers.

A $37,535 grant will help the Wise Center continue serving victims in Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties. The center offers counseling services to child and adult victims of abuse and domestic violence.

In addition to grants, each organization depends heavily on private donations to ensure its ability to provide services throughout its coverage area.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. A portion of the funding was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.