Press Releases

PRESS STATEMENT

CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY E. PLASKETT ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GRANT FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement after the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded $2,932,867 to the U.S. Virgin Islands under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program:

“As a Member of Congress, we recognize that Americans urgently need a coordinated, fully funded, whole-of-government response to keep us safe from the widening coronavirus epidemic. Today the Virgin Islands was awarded a $2,932,867 grant from the Department of Justice under the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program.

“Pursuant to the CARES Act, the CESF Program provides funding to assist eligible local units of government in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus. Allowable projects and purchases include, but are not limited to, overtime pay, equipment (including law enforcement and medical personal protective equipment), hiring, supplies (such as gloves, masks, sanitizer), training, travel expenses, and addressing the medical needs of inmates in state, local, and tribal prisons, jails, and detention centers.

“I am grateful that Congress passed this vital coronavirus emergency response package. I commend the House leadership on taking the lead on this issue and for making provisions so Americans living in the Territories are included.”