Fiscal Year 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 Duluth and county of St. Louis will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $18,315 to combat substance abuse, provide specialized officer training, and enhance public safety with the purchase of law enforcement equipment. The city of Duluth will receive $12,315 and St. Louis County will receive $6,000 of the JAG allocation. St. Louis County will utilize their entire portion to support the St. Louis County Drug Court. The city of Duluth will use $1,000 of its JAG funds to also support the Drug Court. The St. Louis County Drug Court provides an alternative to the sometimes lengthy court process for those offenders who are determined to be amenable to education and treatment and have a low chance of re-offending. The Duluth Police Department will use $8,000 of the JAG grant for technology enhancements and equipment purchases such as digital recording systems for interviews, field-based reporting, and/or report dictation and transcription. The city of Duluth's remaining $3,315 of its grant funds will be used for staff development, such as advanced training for specialized units and department supervisors.

NCA/NCF