Big Bucks Approved For "Safe Streets" Program - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

SALISBURY, Md. - Fighting crime costs money, but the city of Salisbury has it. The Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention approved another $298,265.00 for the "Safe Streets" program.

Mayor Jim Ireton tells WMDT Governor Martin O'Malley recognized the city of Salisbury for what it has done with the $716,144.40 given to the program over the past 2 and a half years. He confesses he can't hide his pride, "Salisbury is now traveling through the state teaching other municipalities how to put together these coalitions."

This new investment brings the total commitment from the state to just over 1 million dollars. And it appears the money's been well spent. FBI numbers show, from 2009 to 2011, property crime in the area dropped a total of 27 percent. Violent crime in the "Safe Streets" area, which includes parts of Wicomico County, dropped 37 percent. And violent crime throughout the city dropped a total of 42 percent.

This additional money will allow the Wicomico County State's Attorney to hold on to their "Safe Streets" prosecutor and crime analyst, as well as allow the Sheriff's Office and Salisbury Police Department money to pay overtime for patrols. Police Chief Barbara Duncan admits she's pleased, "I know Sheriff Lewis is very much in support of the program, as well. I mean, it's easy for us as law enforcement administrators to see the great results. And when we don't worry about borders, when we take down the borders between corporate limits of the city and the rest of the county, the results are multiplied."

"We've been very pleased," agrees Salisbury businessman, Gordon Johnston. "We've spoken to the city of Salisbury and increase patrols here a little bit, to help keep an eye out for us."

Johnston owns the Olive Street Mall, which just opened in April. He purchased the property back in 2007, and tells WMDT he's noticed the drop in crime over the past 6 years. "We've gotten the support that we've needed," explains Johnston, "and we've seen an absolute change."

That new money is available for use on July 1st. Mayor Jim Ireton says the new grant money is exactly how much they requested from the state, and should maintain the "Safe Streets" program for another full year.

Speaking of "Safe Streets" money, Salisbury and County Officials celebrated a huge milestone, Wednesday, made possible with last year's funding. The Poplar Hill Pre-Release Facility in Quantico, MD graduated the first group of inmates in the new Dry Wall & Painting trade program.

This is an effort to get former prisoners out of the cycle of crime and into honest work. The graduates are now certified tradesmen and have also been trained by Goodwill industries to hold onto employment. 3 of the 9 graduates already have jobs lined up.

The city of Salisbury had to reallocate about 35 thousand dollars of their "Safe Streets" grant money to make this project possible, and the state approved the move. A total of 30 inmates will participate in this year-long pilot program. The next round of training starts Monday.