AG Announces $700K For WI Tribes

 MADISON, WI  – Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has announced the awarding of $692,200 in state Tribal Law Enforcement Grants to ten tribal programs statewide. The grant program is designed to assist with the unique law enforcement challenges on Native American lands in Wisconsin.

“This grant program has helped tribes enhance law enforcement efforts on tribal lands,” said Van Hollen. “This funding will assist Native American communities in reducing gang, drug and violent crime on tribal lands.”

The grant program funds a variety of law enforcement services to Native American communities across Wisconsin. Grants have been used for the costs of law enforcement personnel, patrol, investigation, body armor and uniforms, crime prevention, and information technology. Awards have also funded law enforcement training, communications equipment, armories, community programs and emergency/rescue equipment. A majority of the grants fund tribal police department personnel costs.

Grant awards are allocated using a formula consisting of three criteria: Native American population; county crime rate; and tribal unemployment rate. The program is funded through tribal gaming receipts received by the state and allocated in the state budget. No taxpayer monies are used.