2008 JAG

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 Milwaukee County and the cities of Milwaukee and West Allis will use their Fiscal Year 2008 Local JAG funds to continue their public safety efforts. The fiscal agent, Milwaukee County, will use $176,952 to fund the House of Correction's Community Justice Reporting Center program, a reentry program that offers services such as counseling, education, referrals, and job skills training; an audiovisual technician for the Clerk of Courts who manages the videoconferencing needs during trials where the defendant or witnesses cannot be in the courtroom; and the purchase of an automated vehicle locator system, which will save time and enhance safety through the ability to locate vehicles involved in crime scenes quickly. The city of Milwaukee will use $216,275 to purchase in-car video cameras to record traffic stops and prisoner activity, and National Model Traffic and Criminal Software in order to continue the department-wide outfitting of squad cars with this software. The city of West Allis will use $12,549 to continue to fund a Computer Network Specialist who manages the computer needs of the Police Department in addition to being involved in investigations involving computer crimes.

NCA/NCF