FY2008 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program

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 Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement will use its Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 JAG award to address the areas of greatest need in an effort to enhance anti-crime and drug control law enforcement services in Louisiana. Approximately 60% of the funds will be used for law enforcement programs, 6% for prosecution and court programs, 8% for prevention and education program, .5% for corrections and community corrections programs, 4.5% for drug treatment programs, and 21% for planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs. The state's priorities are to: 1) establish and/or continue programs to impact drug control and violent or non-violent crime and related prosecution problems of the state; 2) address recidivism by strengthening those areas of the criminal justice system where emphasis on prevention of crime and drug abuse intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation had been lacking; and 3) respond to the need for specialized law enforcement and prosecution training for law enforcement, prosecution, and judicial systems' improvement; and for enhancement of forensics laboratories. Planned activities include criminal patrols, intensive supervision, a statewide criminal information sharing system, K-9 narcotics units, multi-jurisdictional task forces, violent crime prosecution, community policing, street sales disruption teams, reduction of drugs in prisons, drug courts, tracking drug related domestic violence, apprehension training, anti-terrorist programs, information systems upgrades, law enforcement technology training, enhance crime scene units, and criminal records improvements. The grantee plans to utilize 10% of the Federal amount for administrative purposes.

NCA/NCF