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 county and city of El Paso will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $100,073 for law enforcement purposes. El Paso County was selected as the fiscal agent and will disburse $50,037 to the city of El Paso. El Paso County will use its allocation for the sheriff's and district attorney's offices. The sheriff's office will purchase technology upgrades to improve data speeds for law enforcement information sharing and communications between officers, detectives, and the district attorney's office. The district attorney's office will produce brochures for its victim assistance program. El Paso will provide funding to the police department for purchasing handheld radios that will be fully compliant with current standards and compatible with the city's radio system upgrades.

NCA/NCF