$500,000 seized from proceeds of crime goes to B.C. program

The B.C. government will use $500,000 it has seized from the proceeds of crime to support a crime prevention and victims assistance program in communities across the province.

The funding program will provide one-time-only grants of up to $20,000 to help prevent and address the effects of crime, Solicitor General John Les said Thursday.

"The fact (the money) is coming out of lawbreakers' pockets makes this program even more satisfying," Les said.

Local governments, community organizations, school districts, police departments and First Nations bands are among those invited to apply for funding.

Jim Cessford, chief constable of the Delta police department, said knowing that the proceeds of crime will help communities prevent crime and assist victims will encourage more police departments to refer files for civil forfeiture action where appropriate.

The Civil Forfeiture Act, which came into force in April 2006, allows the provincial government to seize property acquired through crime, or used for unlawful activity, in civil court.