BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – Brown County is encouraging local organizations to apply for crime prevention grants – which are made available through state law.
De Pere Police Chief Derek Beiderwieden calls crime prevention the most important tool in the criminal justice system.
“A dollar spent now prevents ten dollars in future incarceration costs for future criminal justice costs…I’m trying to put myself out of a job,” Beiderwieden tells WTAQ News, ” Budgets are short police departments can’t do crime prevention the way they probably should. By having this extra set of funds, it allows us to stretch that crime prevention dollar a little bit farther.”
De Pere Police Chief Derek Beiderwieden speaks to the media (PHOTO/WTAQ News)
But you don’t need to don the blue or be a caped crime fighting crusader to qualify. Law enforcement agencies, non-profits, and school districts can apply as long as there’s a crime prevention purpose driving the request.
“It’ll be vetted we looked at to make sure that it’s for crime prevention purpose,” Beiderwieden says.
Bay Port High School received a grant to cover costs related to their ‘Every 15 Minutes’ drunk driving crash simulation. They had to pay for the video team to create the project-ending film, time for EMS services and other players, and for a hotel stay for the students – who are debriefed the night of the crash simulation.
“Grant writing is not my forte by any means…It’s a simple process. It just asks you for your budget and what the purpose of the program is so it meets their criteria,” says Alternative Programming Counselor Kelly Mierow, “Answer the questions, send your budget, fill it out – and they give you the amount that they have, based on what you’re asking for. It’s not very difficult and it’s very beneficial.”
Even groups like a neighborhood association that doesn’t have non-profit status can work with their local police, who can help them apply and distribute the money.
The MacArthur Heights Neighborhood Association was able to gain funding for more than fifty Ring video doorbells – which have already helped them track down a stolen truck and solve other issues in the community.
“Just the presence of having a Ring doorbell or a sign that says there’s something on premises or that you’re being recorded alone is a deterrent,” Beiderwieden says.
“The purpose of applying for it was to make our neighborhoods safer, connect our neighbors, introduce ourselves to the neighbors, and it’s just getting us to know each other,” says MacArthur Heights Neighborhood Association Vice President Tammy Deppe, “I feel very safe where we live. I think it’s just a sense of safety knowing that we’re all watching out for each other. It adds that sense of security.”
Applications are due by the end of August. You can find more information about the grants and applications at Brown County’s website.
