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Application for Funding Assistance ` Florida Department of Law Enforcement Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Formula Grant Program E . Project Narrative 1 . Problem Identification : Briefly describe a specific problem to be addressed with subgrant funds in terms of Problem Description , Problem Significance and Needs Assessment , as described in the application instructions . Continue narrative on a second page if necessary. Do not exceed two pages . Use a readable size font, pef instructions . PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Indian River County is located on the Eastern seaboard of Central Florida and in land mass represents 540 square miles . According to the 2000 Census the population of Indian River County is 112 , 947 . This resident population resides primarily in the south , central and northern parts of the county. During the tourist season , the population increases to over 130 , 000 people . The land mass to the west is dedicated to agriculture and the entire eastern coast is shaped by water. These two factors : the undeveloped and isolated land area is ripe for growing and clandestine activity; the avenues for waterway importation and transportation make illicit activity attractive to the element bringing narcotics into our community. The law enforcement community of Indian River County estimates that over 50 percent of all crimes are attributed to drug abuse . Drug arrests continue to increase , for both sale and possession , in the county. Drug arrests for sale and possession of drugs are alarming . Substance abuse continues to be a major problem for Indian River County. New designer drugs , such as ecstasy and G . H . B are becoming available in this county at an alarming rate . Drug offenders are not curtailed by any boundaries ; they cross jurisdictional boundaries every day to sell , buy, or deliver illegal drugs to our citizens , students , and work force . In order to combat the increased drug activity, it is necessary to consolidate our efforts regarding manpower. Disbanding this program would not benefit society, only drug dealers . In 2002 , we saw a dramatic increase in heroin distribution and usage in Indian River County. Six individuals were arrested for Trafficking in Heroin and two individuals were arrested for Possession of Heroin . In 2003 , we assisted in an . investigation in this county that revealed approximately two hundred grams of heroin and two arrests for Trafficking in Heroin . Thus further expressing the fact that heroin is on the rise in Indian River County, FDLE Byrne Formula Grant Application Package Grant Application Section 11 - Page 4 Rule 11 D-9.006 OCJG — 005 (rev. 04/04/03)