Schools and nonprofit organizations sponsoring drug and crime prevention programs and activities will have until June 30th to apply for funding from the Navajo County RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Board.
The RICO Board oversees money generated by the seizure and forfeiture of cash, vehicles and other property used in crimes. The Board comprises representatives from local law enforcement agencies.
According to Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon, the RICO Board is inviting applications from schools and nonprofit organizations until June 30th for funding of projects during the fiscal year running from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. This is a change from past years, when the Board accepted applications throughout the year.
Carlyon said an application can be in the form of a letter, postmarked no later than June 30th, describing the program or activity to be funded, how much financial assistance is needed and how the money will be used. Applications should be sent to Brad Carlyon, Navajo County Attorney, P. O. Box 668, Holbrook, AZ 86025, Attn: RICO Board Funding Application.
Last year, more than $3,000 in grants were awarded by the RICO Board. Although all community-based programs and activities are eligible, Navajo County Sheriff K. C. Clark said preference will be given to drug- and crime-prevention projects.
“RICO funds come mostly from forfeitures in drug cases,” explained Sheriff Clark. “We want to invest as much of this money as we can back into fighting crime in Navajo County.”
Clark said some of the RICO money directly benefits local law enforcement agencies. He cited as examples the purchase of police dogs, specialized training for law enforcement officers and prosecutors, and the purchase of sophisticated equipment to keep pace with the technology available to drug traffickers.
Clark said investing in prevention programs is also high on the RICO Board’s list of priorities. “Up to 15% of the RICO funds can be invested in community-based programs and activities,” the Sheriff explained. “I can’t think of a more appropriate use of money from criminal activities than helping kids stay away from drugs and criminal activities in the first place.”
In the past, schools and nonprofits requested funds from the RICO Board as their needs arose. “Unfortunately, toward the end of a fiscal year we might already be out of funds when a worthwhile project is brought to us,” explained Show Low Police Chief Jeff Smythe.
“Also, there are schools and nonprofits with eligible programs and activities that don’t realize the RICO Board has funding available,” Smythe added. “So we decided to publicize the availability of funds and establish an application deadline so we can evaluate all the requests at once.”
County Attorney Carlyon said the RICO Board views the grants to schools and nonprofits as “seed money” to help prevent crime.
“Law enforcement isn’t just about arresting people and throwing them in jail,” Carlyon said. “It’s not enough just to be tough on crime. We also need to be smart about crime. Assisting schools and nonprofits with their drug- and crime-prevention programs and activities is a wise investment.”