Grant to combat underage drinking

SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- The borough has been awarded a $7,400 federal grant to help combat underage drinking.
The money will be channeled through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and will be used to enhance police activities, said Police Chief Bruce Rosa.
The money can be used to pay for extra police patrols and surveillance of problem areas, he said.
Sharpsville has no more problem with underage drinkers than any other community but officials want to prevent it if they can, Rosa said.
The Sharpsville schools already have prevention programs and the plan is to form a coalition or action team involving representatives of the borough, schools, businesses and community to supplement those efforts.
Sharpsville applied for the funding assistance a year ago, Rosa said, noting no local match is required.
The grant comes in the form of a reimbursement program, which means the borough must incur the expense and then draw down the grant funds.