MARK MASTROIANNI
SPRINGFIELD – Community organizations “which focus on drug education, drug rehabilitation, and other anti-drug or neighborhood watch programs” may be eligible to receive funds from a program initiated by Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni.
Mastroianni invited non-profit community groups to apply for grants from a program funded by money and property seized from defendants “after conviction for drug offenses involving the sale, manufacture or distribution of narcotics.”
Money and property may be ordered to be forfeited by the court at the request of the district attorney’s office. In addition, the DA can initiate civil forfeiture proceedings to seize assets involved in illegal drug activity.
Mastroianni said that the funds received are used “in a variety of ways in a continuing effort to reduce crime and make communities safer.”
The law which provides for the seizure of assets used in illegal narcotics activities, Massachusetts General Law Chapter 94C Section 47(d), allows a district attorney to distribute as much as ten per cent of the share of the forfeited property received to community groups with “programs which further law enforcement purposes.”
Mastroianni said that the new program is not only a source of funding but is also an opportunity for community organizations working to reduce drug use and make their communities safer to inform his office of their efforts. He called the program “an opportunity for the community and law enforcement to work together to combat illegal drug activity.”
Mastroianni states that the intention of the Forfeiture Funds for Community Safety program is “to assist organizations in their attempts to create safer community environments.”
Applications for funding are available on the DA’s web site, www.hampdenda.com.
Completed applications and proposals are due by April 15 of each year and reviews of applications are expected to be completed by the end of May. Grants are expected to be distributed by June 12 of each year.
All awards will be granted at the sole discretion of the district attorney.
