NESPIN Equipment Loan Program

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 New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN) Equipment Loan Program is available to over 750 law enforcement agencies within the New England region. The equipment loan program allows law enforcement agencies to utilize surveillance equipment on a short term basis at no cost to the member agency.

The NESPIN Equipment loan program has been successful over the years lending an average of 250 pieces of equipment to over 180 law enforcement agencies per year. In recent years, due to the focus on building and maintaining the information sharing infrastructure and other mandated priorities, funding for new equipment for the loan program has been constrained. The NESPIN Equipment Technician has received many requests from officers in the field for the equipment to be purchased by this grant. The specialized surveillance equipment that will be purchased will meet the needs of our law enforcement members.

CA/NCF