Sandy Awarded Grant to Help Identify ‘At Risk’ Youth

Salt Lake City, UT—Congressman Jim Matheson today announced that Sandy City is receiving a $470,000 federal grant to help identify children who may be at risk from domestic abuse or gang violence.

“Sandy police officers are working to break the cycle of crime that often starts with youth violence. Kids, their families and neighborhoods all benefit from the city’s proactive effort. That’s a smart, efficient approach and I salute them for it,” said Matheson.

Matheson said the funding—from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs—supports Sandy’s Children At Risk Intervention Unit (CARI).  This team involves police officers, court personnel and counselors who work together to identify children at risk, and offer them alternatives. Staffers include a Youth Court coordinator and a domestic violence counselor.  Another component of the program involves establishing off-duty police officers as mentors to at-risk youth, through sports activities, homework help and as role models.

Matheson said the program gathers and tracks data in order to accurately judge its effectiveness.

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