Local 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 city of Asheville and county of Buncombe are in a disparate relationship and will share the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 JAG award. The City of Asheville will use its FY 2008 JAG funds to support the Asheville Police Department's (APD) efforts of improving officer safety. Grant funds will be used to upgrade the department's technology by replacing analog radios with digital radios to increase radio interoperability between officers, simulcast repeater sites, and communications units for officer safety and audio recording purposes. APD will also purchase related accessories such as batteries and noise canceling speaker microphones.

The County of Buncombe will use its share of FY 2008 JAG funds to support the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). Funds will be used to increase officer safety. Buncombe County has many diverse activist groups and through these groups there are approximately twenty protests held each year. In the past, deputies have been injured in attempts to contain these types of events. Therefore, BCSO will purchase Tasers and related accessories. It is anticipated that this equipment with the proper training will lead to greater officer safety.

NCA/NCF