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 Waukegan and the county of Lake will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $19,896 for interagency communication and community awareness. The Waukegan Police Department Animal Control Division will use their portion of the JAG funds ($14,724) to purchase two laptops and four DVR cameras to improve communication between Patrol and Animal Control to ensure the safety of their animal wardens, as well as improve successful arrest and prosecution of individuals responsible for committing misdemeanor and felony crimes to animals. The Lake County State's Attorneys Office will utilize their portion of the JAG funds ($5,172) to promote public awareness about elder abuse. Educational materials will be created and distributed to social workers, medical personnel, law enforcement, the public, and the elder community. The primary goal is to create an elder abuse protocol and decrease the amount of elder abuse cases.

NCA/NCF