Omaha/Douglas County FY 2008 Justice Assistance Grant

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 Omaha and the county of Douglas will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $202,022 to effectively support a broad range of activities that will help prevent and control crime and work to improve the criminal justice system. The Omaha Police Department (OPD) will continue community policing efforts, law enforcement, overtime, and educational programs. As part of the community policing efforts, they will continue to assist officers with the Air Support Unit. Police helicopters use infrared devices to assist officers in the apprehension of suspects. The helicopter is the safest way to conduct high-risk police pursuits and to secure high-risk infrastructures during homeland security events. The police helicopter unit is also a highly effective tool in the surveillance of narcotics suspects, as well as in the search for missing children and vulnerable adults. It allows for the redeployment of street officers to other priority calls when the helicopter unit can effectively handle an incident from the air. The OPD will continue to provide the necessary skilled training in commercial flight instruction and pilot certification.

Overtime expenditures will be used in the Special Enforcement Operations Unit to help combat crime, violence, drug abuse, and illegal gang activity. Special enforcement operations include intensive patrols, selective enforcement, violent offender locates, warrant sweeps, special targeting of known offenders, and traffic enforcement. Additional training in educational programs, such as the Truancy Abatement Program, will be developed to target high-risk youth on probation or diversion. This training promotes a timely structured response and programming for truant youth.

The Douglas County Department of Corrections will continue development efforts with their Jail Management System. The system is critical for booking all offenders and will provide a web-based working environment. This software system will provide the foundation for a more effective and efficient Criminal Justice Management System. The Douglass County Sheriff's Office will purchase new security screening equipment. This purchase will include an x-ray machine, metal detectors, monitor analyzers, and other related equipment. This equipment will improve the safety and security of all citizens within the local jurisdictions.

NCA/NCF