Project Crime Prevention: Disaster Preparedness and Community Outreach

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 Torrance will utilize its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $11,078 towards a new program called "Project Crime Prevention: Disaster Preparedness and Community Outreach." This program will assist the city of Torrance in accomplishing several goals that will significantly increase the safety and security of its community. These goals include: reducing crime, increasing disaster preparedness, and building strong partnerships within the community through the development and implementation of training, programs, prevention materials, and other resources. In order to satisfy the these goals, the city's strategy is to provide additional community affairs outreach through attending regularly-scheduled meetings with members from Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, home owners' associations, churches, and civic groups. The city and the police department will implement community programs such as Map Your Neighborhood, Partners in Policing, Teens and Police, new Neighborhood Watch groups, and an at-home security inspection service. Specifically, JAG funds will be used to off-set the costs of Neighborhood Watch signage, 'Project Crime Prevention' promotional materials, and training materials.

NCA/NCF