Long Beach JAG 2008

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 City of Long Beach will use the grant funds to support a specially trained and selected Deputy Probation Officer (DPO). The DPO was assigned by the Los Angeles County Specialized Enforcement Operations Division to provide enhanced probation services to Long Beach. The DPO has "over-ride" authority on all adult and juvenile probationers and provides a full range of probation services, from enforcement presence on the streets of Long Beach, to providing counseling and resource referral for adult and juvenile probationers, their families, and pre-delinquent youth. The DPO's duties also include daily ride-alongs with gang suppression officers; arresting juveniles and adults for probation violations; warrant enforcement; gathering gang intelligence; conducting home calls; conducting drug tests; confiscating contraband; visiting schools; conducting probation searches of persons, vehicles, and residences; as well as making hundreds of contacts with probationers and non-probationers. Additionally, the DPO is available at all hours via cell phone, and can process probation holds and verify probation status via laptop computer at home, in the office, or on the road.

NCA/NCF