Maryland's JAG Initiative

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention (GOCCP) serves as the State Administering Agency in the application for, and administration of, Federal and state funds for public safety, crime control and prevention. The GOCCP coordinates and promotes public safety linkages and partnerships between and among Federal, state and local agencies. Some of the major, innovative new projects that GOCCP funded in FY 2007, will be continued utilizing the FY 2008 JAG award. These projects include enhanced supervision of high-risk career criminals on parole and probation; improved warrant service to remove dangerous offenders from the streets; development of statewide CompStat models to analyze crime trends and allocate resources based on need; cross border collaboration with Washington, D.C. and contiguous states to combat emerging crime patterns targeting high risk offenders through regional task forces; heightened enforcement of Maryland's gun laws; investment in technology to help law enforcement agencies work more efficiently; and implementation of a statewide gang intelligence gathering and information-sharing program. The State of Maryland presently has ninety grant programs operating with JAG funds. The GOCCP will post a Notice of Funding Availability on its website to ensure the widest possible distribution to eligible applicants. Applications submitted to GOCCP for funding under JAG will be evaluated by neutral reviewers to ensure that proposed projects are viable and that all JAG program requirements are met.

NCA/NCF