Standard Democrat

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Mississippi County will receive $115,000 over three years through a federal U.S. Department of Justice grant to address gun violence.

Jennifer Raffety, Mississippi County prosecuting attorney, reported the grant award to county commissioners during Thursday's meeting.

The money is to be used to pay up to 80 percent of the salary and benefits for a full-time assistant prosecutor dedicated to focusing on the prosecution of gun-related crimes.

Underscoring the need for the position in Mississippi County, Raffety related how she and her family were disturbed Wednesday evening by a 10-minute exchange of gunfire. "It sounded like Kosovo out there," said Raffety.

Although gun-related violent crime must remain the primary focus, if there are not enough gun-related cases to occupy the assistant full-time the assistant may be used to prosecute other criminal offenses.