FY 2008 Justice Assistance Grant Program

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 Charlotte and the County of Mecklenburg will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $325,638 to fund programs that reduce crime and provide a higher level of service to the populations served by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). The CMPD will provide overtime for officers conducting problem solving activities or intensive patrols in neighborhoods that are experiencing crime patterns that can be impacted by an increase in police presence. Problem solving activities will address specific crimes such as robbery, burglary, and larceny. The CMPD may also address prostitution, drug activity, and properties that are creating a public nuisance. The JAG grant will fund approximately 7,989 hours of overtime.

The MCSO will utilize JAG funding to produce a video to educate judges, attorneys, and others in the criminal justice field of the benefits of the Sheriff's Office's Work Release and Restitution Program, and to conduct educational programs to teach children and teenagers responsible behavior with the goal of preventing or reducing the likelihood that youth will become the victims or perpetrators of crime. Funds will be used to upgrade the child IRIS SCAN program, purchase Child ID/Fingerprint kits, pencil kits, gang awareness and prevention brochures, and supplies used with the ThinkFirst drunk driving simulation program; produce in-house videos that provide Spanish speaking inmates with an orientation to the sheriff's jail facilities, including its operational procedures and visitation policies; and provide public information for jail visitors. The MCSO will also hire a vendor to identify the hardware and develop the software to integrate with the existing cable infrastructure and fiber optic network. They will also purchase nine television monitors and the necessary electronic equipment to run the system, and will host a conference on the nexus of terrorism activities with an emphasis on a first responders' responsibility to thwart and/or respond to terrorist activity.

NCA/NCF