News Release

June 22, 2006
News Release Contact:
Becky Gettings - (804) 213-4419
E-mail: pubrel@abc.virginia.gov

ABC Awards Grant for First Time to Rural Law Enforcement Communities

Committed to providing underage drinking prevention messages and initiatives to all communities, The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is proud to announce the grant award recipients for the 2006 - 2007 Rural Law Enforcement Communities Grant award in the amount of $5,000. This is the first year that ABC has been able to offer this grant to the Rural Law Enforcement community to address the issues associated with underage drinking.

The award recipients are the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, Henry County Sheriff's Office, Northampton County Sheriff's Office, Wise County Sheriff's Office and the Wythe County Sheriff's Office. The agencies have each decided to use their awards in a number of ways that will better their communities, such as retail compliance checks, focused enforcement initiatives targeting underage drinking events, purchasing education materials for middle and high school students and overtime for their deputies to work special assignments.

"I am excited that we are able to provide these communities with funding opportunities that will help them address the issues associated with underage drinking", said Special Agent in Charge of Compliance, Education and Training Joseph L. Cannon. Cannon, who has been with the ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement for over six years, continued by saying "this is the first year that we have been able to offer this type of grant in rural communities, and we are looking forward to the new partnerships."

The Wythe County Sheriff's Office will be using the money for the following:

• Provide overtime for deputy sheriff's to patrol designated areas where underage drinking is taking place
• Routinely check the ABC retail licensed establishments for criminal violations
• Special enforcement efforts to address the underage alcohol issues associated with alcohol related vehicle crashes and underage possession charges
• Raise community awareness in reference to underage drinking
• Reduce the number of violations committed by ABC retail establishments

These grants awards are funded through the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention, Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws grant program.