Targeting Violent Crime Initiative

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

The Santa Fe Police Department will use the 2007 Targeting Violent Crime Initiative funding to purchase and install mobile data/display terminals (MDTs) in 42 law enforcement vehicles in order to improve law enforcement response to criminal activities. Through installation of these MDTs, the Santa Fe Police Department expects to decrease by 10 percent the amount of time needed to run a check on individuals and automobiles stopped by city or county law enforcement vehicles equipped with MDTs; decrease by 10 percent the amount of time needed to write reports for law enforcement officers with access to MDTs; and increase by 20 percent the amount of time law enforcement officers with MDT equipment are available to patrol and respond to requests for assistance.

CA/NCF