Money coming into region to boost criminal-justice efforts

Nearly $9 million is coming to the Finger Lakes and greater Rochester region to support criminal justice initiatives.

The recipients include Monroe County, the City of Rochester, local school districts, universities, community organizations, and more.

The Department of Justice says the money will help address issues impacting the region, such as gun violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and the mental health needs of children.

More than $16 million is being invested in Western New York, with 26 different agencies supporting criminal justice getting a share.

A sampling of the allocations in this area:

— PathStone of Rochester is receiving $750,000 to develop and implement a re-entry program for incarcerated people.

— Monroe County is getting $526,741 to address its backlog of DNA analysis cases in the crime lab.

— The Sodus Central School District has been awarded $1 million to work with the Wayne County Partnership and Ibero to support migrant farmworkers and their families in Wayne County.

— Coordinated Care Services Inc. of Rochester is receiving $400,000 to support Rise Up Rochester’s efforts to ensure safe housing for gun-violence victims and their families.

— The University of Rochester is getting $64,003 for research into AI-powered audio generation and criminals’ use of “deepfakes” and how to detect them.