DOWNEY - The Downey Police Department expects to receive a $51,000 grant to target specific crime trends including street robberies, auto theft and burglaries, according to a grant application approved by the City Council this week.The grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program will also help fund neighborhood preservation and the school resource program, Police Chief Rick Esteves said. The grant will be used to pay for officer overtime as they concentrate on crime suppression and prevention, Esteves wrote in a report. A separate grant from the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control has already been approved for an amount not to exceed $53,848. Police officers will work with ABC officials to identify retailers that illegally sell alcohol to minors. This is done using underage decoys who attempt to buy alcohol, and "shoulder tap" operations where customers are asked outside a store to purchase alcohol for a minor. The grant will also be used for public education and police officer training.

********** Published: June 24, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 10