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 consisting of the City of Meridian and the County of Lauderdale County will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $14,453 to quickly and safely address potential violent occurrences in order to protect the public and the officers. The Meridian Police Department will use $8,672 in JAG funds to provide officer overtime on the Directed Action Response Team (DART). Officers on the DART perform overtime in areas of the City of Meridian that are experiencing an increase in crimes such as drug trafficking/sales and burglaries. The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department will use $5,781 in JAG funds to purchase one in-vehicle camera system and media storage devices.

NCA/NCF