FY 2008 Justice Assistance Grant

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 City of Albany and the County of Dougherty will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $22,925 to acquire specialized response and daily patrol equipment. Both the Albany Police Department and the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office have been regularly tasked with responding to high risk warrant services, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, active shooter situations, and other high risk incidents that require a specialized response. In order for these situations to be mitigated, it is important that all officers and deputies be outfitted with the proper protective equipment and the proper tools. The Dougherty County Sheriff's Office will use their portion of the JAG award ($4,585) to purchase two tasers, five digital voice recorders, five active shooter training weapon systems, and two ballistic body armor units to supplement its crime fighting initiatives in field operations and criminal investigations. The Albany Police Department will use their portion ($18,340) to purchase ten automatic patrol rifles and two ballistic shields to allow for a rapid response to highly volatile hostage standoffs, drug raids, and active shooter crime scenes.

NCA/NCF