2008 Santa Barbara Regional Narcotics Task Force

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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of the County of Santa Barbara and the Cities of Santa Barbara and Santa Maria will use their JAG award in the amount of $42,821 to support the Santa Barbara Regional Narcotic Enforcement Team (SBRNET). The County's top three priorities are the availability of methamphetamine, the correlation between drug trafficking and gang activity, and the recent increase of cocaine availability. The JAG funds will be used to fund the following SBRNET positions: 1) one full-time equivalent Deputy District Attorney (DDA), who will be responsible for filing complaints, prosecuting cases, and providing asset forfeiture oversight for SBRNET cases; 2) one full-time equivalent Deputy Senior Probation Officer (DPO), who will act as a liaison between the probation department and the project, as well as provide assistance in the compilation of grant-required source documentation; 3) one full-time equivalent Sheriff's Detective, one half-time equivalent Sheriff's Detective, one full-time equivalent Lompoc Police Department Detective, and one full-time equivalent Guadalupe Police Department Detective, who will all be qualified narcotic investigators, and act as liaisons between their respective departments and the project; and 4) one full-time equivalent Senior Office Assistant, who will act as the office manager for the multi-jurisdictional task force, as well as interface with the Sheriff's Department for bill payment, evidence booking, and case management needs. Also, approximately 8.7 percent in administrative costs will be used to partially cover the overhead associated with the implementation, fiscal oversight, and reporting requirements for this project.

NCA/NCF