Young members of the Revere Police Athletic League join DA Dan Conley (middle row, center left in suit and tie) after he delivered a check for $5,000 in money seized from drug dealers to help support the league. Joining Conley are Revere Police Chief Joseph Cafarelli, League Director Kris Oldoni, and Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo.

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley last week delivered $5,000 in seized drug money to an agency that keeps Revere kids off drugs, away from gangs, and on the right track for success.

Conley delivered the check to Community Action Projects Inter-City, Inc., or CAPIC, on March 27 as part of his annual Asset Forfeiture Reinvestment Program, which takes cash and assets seized during narcotics prosecutions and puts them back into the community through agencies that work to keep kids and teens safe.

In addition to providing a broad array of social services to North Shore communities, CAPIC works with the young members of the Revere Police Athletic League and gives presentations on substance abuse and gang violence to school-age youth. The funds delivered by Conley will help maintain the league throughout the year, providing those young people with a safe, positive, and structured environment.

“Ask anyone in law enforcement and we’ll tell you: we’d much rather prevent a crime than prosecute one,” Conley said. “When young people build positive relationships with caring, responsible, committed adults, they’re less likely to use drugs, join a gang, or find themselves in trouble. The Asset Forfeiture Reinvestment Program helps us support those relationships and keep kids healthy and safe.”

Action Projects Inter-City, Inc., to support a year-round basketball league for Revere teens.

Conley took time to watch some of the young players on the basketball court and offered some brief remarks expressing his support for the league, the players themselves, and their community. Also on hand were CAPIC Executive Director Robert Repucci, Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo, Revere Police Chief Joseph Cafarelli, and league director Kris Oldoni.

The Asset Forfeiture Reinvestment Program grants represent a percentage of money and property seized from drug dealers who have been prosecuted by the district attorney’s office. State law allows up to 10 percent of money from the auctions of dealers’ property and confiscated funds to be returned to the community.

This year’s awards – totaling $75,000 – is over four times more than those distributed in the first round of reinvestments grants 20 years ago, when the awards totaled $17,500.

The annual grant process begins in the summer, with application forms available on Conley’s website. Awards are typically distributed in the winter.