LOS ANGELES : U.S. Gives $1.3 Million for 3 Crime Task Forces

U.S. Atty. Nora Manella announced Monday that her office will receive $1.3 million in federal funds to implement three task force projects to fight violent crime.

The money will be used to pay for violent crime investigations in the San Bernardino and Riverside areas and crimes against children, with an emphasis on computer crimes and street gang violence in Los Angeles County, Manella said.

The three projects earmarked for the federal outlay are:

* The Inland Regional Apprehension Team, which will get $102,806 to investigate crimes in the San Bernardino and Riverside areas, and to pursue and apprehend fugitives. Manella said the area has one of the highest violent crime rates in the state.

* Violent Crimes Against Children, which will get $193,000 for prevention and prosecution of crimes against youths. The multi-agency task force, which Manella said is the only one in the nation, will focus on investigations with an emphasis on computer crimes, which the U.S. attorney said she thinks will result in the capture of sexual predators.

* Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Crime, which will receive $938,060 for an FBI-sponsored task force aimed at gang violence. The task force also includes members of the Los Angeles police and sheriff’s departments.