Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Prevention 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 disparate jurisdictions of the County of Jackson, the City of Kansas City, and the City of Independence will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 Justice Assistance Grant award in the amount of $291,576 to fund various criminal justice projects. Jackson County will serve as the fiscal agent and will use its share ($129,731.50) to fund salaries and benefits of various drug court positions. The City of Independence will use funding ($32,113) to purchase law enforcement equipment to better serve the citizens of Independence. They will also purchase a logging recorder for the Dispatch Unit. The City of Kansas City will use grant funds ($129,731.50) for their Neighborhood Improvement Program Initiative and to purchase law enforcement equipment. The Neighborhood Improvement Program Project focuses on crime prevention education and awareness by funding a Program Coordinator and a Community Action Network (CAN) Center Site. The Program Coordinator works with the local Police Department, neighborhood residents, and others to promote existing crime prevention programs. The CAN Centers have been very important in facilitating communication between police and community residents. The Kansas City Police Department will also purchase additional desktop computers with high-end memory and storage capability, and video evidence recovery kits.

NCA/NCF