News Release

September 25, 2007
News Release Contact:
Becky Gettings - (804) 213-4419
E-mail: pubrel@abc.virginia.gov

ABC Awards Wythe County Sheriff's Department Grant Money

For the second year, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) awarded the Wythe County Sheriff's Department a $5,000 Rural Law Enforcement Communities Grant for 2007-2008. ABC was able to offer this grant to the Wythe County Sheriff's Department to address the issues associated with underage drinking.

Last year, Wythe County Sheriff's Office also received a Rural Law Enforcement Community Grant, which they used to raise community awareness in reference to underage drinking, reduce the number of violations committed by ABC retail establishments and to provide overtime for deputy sheriff's to patrol designated areas where underage drinking is taking place.

ABC Special Agent George Sewell presented the grant check to Wythe Sheriff Doug King in a brief ceremony Monday afternoon.

"I am pleased to offer the Wythe County Sheriff's Office this funding opportunity to help reduce underage access to alcohol," said Director of the ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement Francis J. Monahan. "Working together, these initiatives will enhance the Wythe County community's preventive and educational programs that have proven effective in reducing underage drinking."

This year's award recipients also include Amherst County Sheriff's Office, Hanover County Sheriff's Office, James City County Police Department, Woodstock Police Department and Northampton County Sheriff's Department. These grant awards are funded through the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention, Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) grant program.