In 2020, OCSO created the Community Crime Prevention award program. The program helps infuse some local community groups with much-needed funding for programs aimed at community safety.
This week, the Board of County Commissioners gave its approval, and OCSO is presenting awards ranging from $2,000-$10,000 to 34 nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups and others engaged in projects or programs that address neighborhood safety, crime prevention or drug abuse education and prevention.
On Friday, OCSO will award more than $220,000 to those organizations, which brings our four-year total to more than $600,000 since the awards’ inception.
“The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has a long history of using our Law Enforcement Trust Fund Money, which is seized from drug dealers and other criminals, to infuse local nonprofit organizations with much needed funds,” said Sheriff Mina. “This program proactively casts a wide net to the community, and as a result, many groups that never even knew this resource existed can now benefit from it.”
This year’s recipients are a diverse group of nonprofit and community-based organizations that provide a wealth of services to our residents. These organizations range from helping teens get their barbering licenses to suicide prevention and self-defense classes for LGBTQ youth. In addition, categories include senior wellness and resources for children with incarcerated parents.
OCSO’s Community Crime Prevention award program does not require applicants to provide matching funds. The money comes from seized contraband assets held in the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Trust Fund.
What are the application eligibility criteria?
To be considered for funding a program or project it must:
- Fall within one of the statutorily approved categories listed above
- Submit an application describing their program or project and provide a detailed, itemized list of items to be purchased with award funds
- More criteria found here
