Two local organizations will receive a total of $15,000 in Civil Forfeiture Grants to coordinate the cross-sector response to highest risk domestic violence cases.  A record of $5.5 million in grants has been awarded to various groups and organizations around the province from the latest round of grants.

The Elk Valley RCMP this past week was delivered a cheque for $5,000 by Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett, and the Summit Community Services Society also received $5,000 each for its Cranbrook and Kimberley efforts.

“B.C.’s Civil Forfeiture program has been a great success in our province. The issue of domestic violence is an unspoken reality that affects our families and our communities. This funding will be a significant contribution to the efforts of our local agencies,” Bennett stated.

B.C.’s civil forfeiture program started in 2006. This year’s total funding of $6.1 million is the highest yearly funding provided to organizations since the program started.

This year’s grants are targeted to projects in the areas of prevention and response to violence against women and children, prevention of gang activity and increased ecstasy awareness.

Civil forfeiture helps reduce crime by taking away tools that are used in unlawful activity, or the proceeds that come from unlawful activity.

Funding is provided directly to community groups that make B.C. a safer place to live.

B.C.’s program is the most successful of its kind in the country and has been used as an example in other provinces.

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