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 Provo and the county Utah will use their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $14,306 for gang enforcement, graffiti removal, crime lab enhancements, and new computers. Provo's mall is experiencing a daily increase in gang-related graffiti and assaults. Graffiti in Provo has increased substantially in the last five years, and even more significantly in the last two years. The JAG grant will fund evening hour overtime for officers to combat the problem of gangs and graffiti in the city. The Criminal Investigation Division of the Provo Police Department will receive funding to pay for crime lab supplies. They will purchase digital cameras and digital video recorders to be used by detectives in processing crime scenes and conducting interviews; a crime scene cover with table that will provide protection from the elements and protect those not involved in the investigation while the evidence is being processed; and a digital video recorder and a crime scene camera to be used for producing quality images expected in court. The crime lab currently does not have this equipment and needs these items to achieve greater accuracy in investigating crimes in the city. Provo will also use its funds is to purchase new computers for the Police Department. These computers will replace the Department's existing computers, which are obsolete.

NCA/NCF