The Fourth Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force has received a boost through a $174,986 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

ADECA made the announcement Monday. The Task Force’s grant is a portion of $3.05 million distributed throughout the state.

The Fourth Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force consists of five members and operates in Bibb, Dallas, Perry, Hale and Wilcox counties.

“This is money for all the things the drug task force does, tackling drug and gang problems in the Fourth Judicial Circuit,” District Attorney Michael Jackson said.

The task force routinely goes out on drug sweeps through the counties with local deputies and police officers.

Equipment purchased with the grant money would include bulletproof vests, weapons, and provide for transportation, Jackson said.

The district attorney said the money comes at a good time for this particular task force, which is gearing up to help control the violence in Selma.

In 2010, Selma logged 12 murders. Already this year, the city has registered two murders.

“If anybody has drug or gang activity in their neighborhood, they can let the drug task force know by calling 683-5001,” Jackson said.