Fiscal Year 2008 Justice Assistance Grant Program

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 of the county of Bexar and the city of San Antonio will use their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $307,200 for criminal justice purposes. The city of San Antonio will use their portion of JAG funds to pay for the salaries and benefits of two San Antonio police detectives assigned to investigate violent crimes against children. The detectives work closely with the Bexar County Child Welfare Strategic Alliance, Child Safe, and Child Protective Services to further the expeditious arrest and prosecution of child abuse offenders. Bexar County will use their portion of the JAG funds to support the Child Welfare Strategic Alliance Task Force. The taskforce will support one forensic interviewer and expand existing efforts of law enforcement, child protection services, prosecutors, medical professionals, and non-profit organizations to improve investigations. The county will also continue to fund a district attorney investigator and a juvenile probation officer to respond to violent juvenile crime in Bexar County.

NCA/NCF