Gardena Public Safety 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).

Gardena City plans to utilize Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 JAG funds for their Public Safety Initiative which addresses critical personnel safety needs in their police department. The Gardena Special Weapons and Tactics Team (S.W.A.T.) is in the first phase of replacing the 17 outdated ballistic vests with state-of-the-art tactical entry ballistic vests. The police department also has initiated a 'District Policing' program. This program was designed by utilizing Community Oriented Policing principles. The program provides promotional and informational materials to the citizens to keep them up-to-date on the police programs and other services.

NCA/NCF