Tulare County Gang Awareness and Suppression 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).

Tulare County and Visalia City are in a disparate relationship and will share the eligible JAG award of $52,959 equally. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office will use its portion of the JAG funds to support personnel in its Countywide Gang Prevention Specialist Program and one of its School Resource Officers. This officer's daily contact with students has helped reduce gang influences and affiliations. The Visalia Police Department will use its portion of the funds to combat gang violence. JAG funds will be used for overtime payments and benefits for officers in an effort to enhance gang suppression, intervention, and prevention activities. These activities include suppression details in gang junction safe zones, efforts to educate the community, and collaboration with the probation department.

NCA/NCF