Technology Upgrades

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 Huntsville will split the Fiscal Year 2008 JAG funds equally between the Huntsville Police Department, Madison County District Attorney's Office, and Madison County Sheriff's Office.

The Huntsville Police Department will use the funds to purchase equipment and pay for travel for their 'Technology Improvement Program'. The funds will be used to replace the current, out-dated video systems on the Police Department's patrol vehicles. The current in-car video camera systems fail to operate correctly. Funds will be used to send two employees to the OJP Regional Financial Management Training Seminar.

The Madison County District Attorney's Office will the funds to implement its Gang Intervention and Violence Education (GIVE) Program. This program provides instruction to 3rd grade students in all schools in the City of Huntsville, City of Madison, and Madison County in the areas of gangs, guns, violence, bullying, and juvenile crime cases. The Program is active in 37 schools and reaches over 2,489 students per year.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office will use the funds to upgrade their computers, software applications, scanners/printers, and document storage servers.

NCA/NCF