Richland County Sheriff's Department Law Enforcement 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 Richland County Government will utilize its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $61,110 to provide resources to the Richland County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) to conduct law enforcement investigations and address the increase in violent crimes. Specifically, the RCSD will allocate the grant funds for overtime expenses in special response situations, such as large numbers of homicides, armed robberies, rapes, thefts, and drug rings that may require extra personnel and increased hours during the project period. This project will allow deputies to patrol areas where crimes are taking place, investigate those crimes to the fullest extent possible, and address the growing gang populations and the violence that occurs from the gangs. The grant will also provide a computer system and printer for administrative purposes. It is anticipated that this grant will assist in RCSD's efforts to improve public safety.

NCA/NCF