WARREN - Nearly $700,000 in federal earmark dollars has been secured for justice system projects in Weathersfield and Youngstown.
U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan announced Friday that included in the $1.45 million the Commerce, Justice and Science spending bill coming to the 17th Congressional District is $495,000 for a communication tower in Weathersfield and $200,000 for Police Athletic League activities in Youngstown.
The bill still needs Senate approval and to be signed by President Barack Obama.
In Weathersfield, the proposal is to build a 190 foot communication tower that would be used by the township, Niles and McDonald police, fire and road departments.
In Youngstown, the athletic league funding will be used toward the creation of a pilot program that addresses gang related crime in several communities with the goal of providing youth activities during non-school hours through athletic, educational and enrichment programs.
''We are helping our local law enforcement officials by helping them expand their reach, both in traditional law enforcement roles, but also in community and preventive tactics that in the long run will keep kids from turning to crime as an alternative and reduce the number of repeat offenders on our streets,'' Ryan said.
Other programs in line to receive money are:
- Akron Oriana Halfway House, $100,000, for a pilot program to treat chronic misdemeanor offenders from becoming felony repeat offenders through rehabilitation and treatment services;
- Portage County commissioners, adult probation department, $200,000, to prepare offenders to return to society by providing them social skills, such as getting and keeping a job, counseling and schooling;
-Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, $455,000, to enhance the agency's system for capturing and maintaining arrest and fingerprint images.