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 Colorado Springs and the county of El Paso will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG funding in the amount of $137,312 to support important programs that cannot be supported through general fund dollars. The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) Patrol Division has requested funding to support the investigation of property crimes throughout Colorado Springs. Over the past few years, CSPD has had to assign more crimes against persons cases to detectives whose main focus is supposed to be property crimes investigation. The addition of clerical support allows detectives to focus on pursuing investigative leads and decreases their administrative time. Two full-time special positions, including benefits, will be provided to two Police Department Divisional Investigative Units to support property crime investigations for 16 pay periods. Funding will be also be used for the ongoing support of a grant-funded senior analyst assigned to the CSPD's Planning, Grants, and Research Division.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO) will be use their portion of the JAG funds to support law enforcement operations including technology improvements, equipment upgrades, and personal protective equipment. EPSO continually looks for less lethal methods to control dangerous situations and increase officer and public safety. Tasers help officers effectively face violent situations and have been shown to reduce officer shootings and suspect injuries. The EPSO will purchase 12 tasers with accessories. The EPSO will also purchase an electronic fingerprinting system to replace their outdated system and 300 Ear-Hugger acoustic tube headphones. The headphones enable officers to be aware of security issues within the jail and hear communications throughout the wards, while maintaining confidentiality when they are among the inmate population.

NCA/NCF