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 city of Cranston will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $15,168 to purchase a portion of a fuel efficient, mid-size sport utility vehicle. It is the intent of the Cranston Police Department to purchase a non-traditional police vehicle, such as a GMC Acadia, Jeep Liberty, or similar cross-over sport-utility vehicle, in order to make it less conspicuous during patrols targeting drunk drivers and underage drinkers. The Cranston Police Department will use this vehicle for an alcohol-related crime enforcement and abatement initiative. As part of the educational component of this program, the vehicle will be utilized by officers visiting the citizen's police academy, parent-teacher meetings, and schools during alcohol and drug abuse prevention lectures. The vehicle will have special details designed to target house parties and nuisance areas where underage drinking has been associated. As part of a successful prosecution effort, the vehicle will also be outfitted with the equipment necessary for accident reconstruction and evidence collection. This equipment will include a digital camera, video camera, total station forensic mapping equipment, portable breath tests, and various supplies required for the collection and preservation of evidence at both traffic and non-traffic related crime scenes.

NCA/NCF