Criminal Justice Commission Initiatives

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 Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award to fund four prosecutors that will handle crime cases in the Weed and Seed area and Youth Violence Prevention Zones, as well as gang violence cases in targeted areas. Their objective is to establish a liaison with the local community in order to better understand public safety and crime issues in local neighborhoods. Additionally, they will assist local law enforcement in the preparation of criminal cases in order to improve the quality of justice in local communities and address local problem areas as needed. The County will also implement an innovative, comprehensive, and integrated multi-agency strategy for law enforcement and community revitalization in order to control and prevent crime, drug abuse, and associated open air drug markets and gang activity.

NCA/NCF