Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that $1.67 million is headed to New Mexico to help fund two anti-crime measures.  A separate grant will help compensate victims of crimes.  Funding for all three grants comes from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

"These grants represent an important investment in New Mexico's criminal justice system," Bingaman said.

The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) has been awarded a $356,400 grant to aid in the enforcement of underage drinking laws in the state.  Funding will be used to continue the New Mexico Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Grant program, which works to prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors and the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors through education and enforcement programs.

CYFD will also receive a $457,100 grant to help reduce juvenile crime through accountability-based programs within the state and local juvenile justice systems.

The New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission was also awarded an $861,000 grant to provide funding for state victim compensation payments to eligible crime victims.