Collaborative application City of Tucson and Pima County

The disparate jurisdictions of the City of Tucson and Pima County have identified projects based on the $350,877 allocation of 2024 Justice Assistance Grant Funding. By mutual agreement, the City of Tucson and Pima County will allocate a total of $17,541 (5%) of the total funding for administrative costs as permitted by Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Tucson Police Department will retain and use these funds in its role as the fiscal agent for this grant. The remaining funding will be divided between the two jurisdictions $333,336.

The City of Tucson Police Department’s allocation of $166,668 will be dedicated to violent crime reduction initiatives by continuing to provide funding for a Violence Prevention Coordinator. This staff member is a liaison between the police department and local hospitals, healthcare, education, employment, and social service providers, linking trusted providers from outside law enforcement with gun violence victims and with those at high risk of committing gun violence. The position uses the proven models of hospital-based violence intervention and focused deterrence to achieve its goals. Additionally, a portion will be allocated to partially fund contracted onsite technical support services to ensure continued National Incident-Based Reporting System compliance.

The Pima County Attorney’s Office will use their allocation of $83,334 to alleviate violent crime by holding offenders accountable. Grant funds will be used to support the salary and employee related expenses for one full time equivalent prosecutor who will be hired for or re-assigned to a unit which prosecutes egregious and complicated felony cases.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department will use their allocation of $83,334 to continue with community outreach. These programs include a Rape Aggression Defense program teaching women how to react if confronted by an attacker, Dispose-A-Med program allowing the public to properly dispose of no longer needed prescription and/or non-prescription medications, Child Safety Seat program, and a Shred-A-Thon to combat identity theft. They will also provide public service announcements at key times of the year that are on topics pertinent to public safety.