Kawerak, INC. Indicates that the need for adequate public safety infrastructure is a critical concern in bering strait communities, where 85% of existing office spaces and holding cells fail to meet…

The Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded $1.9 million to Kawerak, Inc. on October 1, 2025, under the Tribal Justice Assistance program (CFDA 16.596) to construct a new public safety building in Nome, Alaska, with performance through September 30, 2030.

Kawerak, Inc., a tribally authorized non-profit serving 20 federally recognized tribes across the Bering Strait, Norton Sound, and Yukon regions of western Alaska, will design and build a facility to address critical infrastructure gaps in Bering Strait communities, where 85% of existing office spaces and holding cells fail to meet standard requirements. The building will include office spaces, holding cells, secure storage for fire gear and search and rescue equipment, and dedicated areas for maintaining victim confidentiality and crisis intervention services. The facility is identified as a priority in Kawerak's local economic development plan and is intended to enhance law enforcement capabilities and public safety service delivery across the tribal communities served.

The Tribal Justice Assistance program supports critical needs of tribal justice systems to prevent crime and ensure tribal safety through development and implementation of justice infrastructure and capacity-building activities. The award carries a five-year period of performance, with no cost-sharing, conference, or sub-recipient activities specified in the award documentation.

Kawerak, INC. Indicates that the need for adequate public safety infrastructure is a critical concern in bering strait communities, where 85% of existing office spaces and holding cells fail to meet standard requirements. A new public safety building is a priority project in their local economic development plan. This facility, including appropriate office spaces and holding cells, is essential for improving law enforcement capabilities, safeguarding victim confidentiality, and providing secure spaces for crisis intervention. This facility will enhance public safety services by ensuring proper infrastructure, including holding cells, office space, housing of fire gear, search and rescue and storage area for securing sensitive information, and ability to maintain victim confidentiality. No conference activities are planned for this award.