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Las Vegas, 9 Other Cities Get Grant For Community Court Program

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Court officials say Las Vegas Township Court is one of 10 in the nation to win a grant to begin a community court program to redirect petty offenders in quality-of-life cases.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Bita Yeager says the award involves a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and technical assistance from the nonprofit New York-based Center for Court Innovation.

The program aims to reduce crime and substance use, address victims' issues, save money and boost public confidence in courts.

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Offenders are directed into projects like graffiti-removal, park maintenance and litter clean-up, while getting opportunities for drug and alcohol counseling, mental health services and job training.

Yeager says the other courts are in and around Chicago; Cleveland; Dallas; Honolulu; Philadelphia; Olympia and Spokane, Washington; Eugene, Oregon; and Jersey City, New Jersey.