Money seized from criminals donated to charity

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - On Friday, St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway handed out more than $110,000 to more than 50 non-profits at the department's annual Forfeiture Funds Award Ceremony.

The money represents about a quarter of the cash seized in 2017 from the city’s criminals and drug dealers. 

“This is a way we're giving back to the community. We're turning something negative into something positive,” Chief Holloway said.

Among the groups receiving grants is the Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast, which was awarded $1,000 for drug prevention programs.

“It certainly is a sense of irony. Drug money to prevent drug use - it's a great investment,” said Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast President Freddy Williams. “We try and infuse the arts and crafts into fun and cool ways so they learn what positive images are."

St. Pete PD has been putting seized funds back into the community through grants for the last 25 years.

“[It's] all about working with the kids, getting the kids involved with stuff after school, keep them off the street, keep them busy,” the chief said.

The rest of the money seized by police will be used to buy gear and equipment not covered by the department's budget.