2008 Justice Assistance Grant

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 Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County will distribute their Fiscal Year 2008 Justice Assistance Grant award in the amount of $292, to the following agencies within the government: Metro Nashville Police Department, Drug Court, Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Metro Nashville Public Schools, District Attorney, Justice Information System, Juvenile Court, Public Defender, and Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation. All of these agencies are directly involved in prevention, apprehension, and prosecution of criminal conduct, and with the additional funding provided by the grant, the agencies will be able to accomplish the goal of a safer community. The Police Department will receive $91,369.28 that will be used to upgrade and supplement current technology projects and the implementation of the department's new Advanced Records Management System (ARMS). This will allow the department to disseminate information throughout the department and participating agencies more efficiently.

The Drug Court will receive $43,732.90 that will be used for the operational costs of their current drug treatment program. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office will receive $37,168.61 that will be used to staff a community outreach program. The Metro Nashville Public Schools will receive $33,587.09 that will be used to upgrade current camera systems and for the installation of additional systems within the public schools. The District Attorney's Office will receive $29,620.64 that will be used to pay salary and benefits for a part-time case investigator. This investigator will provide support by way of investigation and case preparation of criminal cases being prosecuted. The Justice Information System will receive $14,764.53 that will be used to purchase technology and hardware upgrades for the current operating system. The Juvenile Court will receive $9,099.90 that will be used to staff a part-time position for a Warrant Officer in their Juvenile Gang Unit Program. This program is focused on monitoring and case management of juvenile related gang affiliation cases. The Public Defender's Office will receive $4,847.14 that will be used to employ a part-time law clerk to assist attorneys assigned to the Juvenile Division. The Metro Parks and Recreation will $5,136.53 that will be used to purchase taser devices for the park police officers. The goal of purchasing this equipment is to improve the safety of both the officers and individuals.

NCA/NCF