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 cities of Pittsburgh and McKeesport and the county of Allegheny will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $164,145 for law enforcement purposes. The city of Pittsburgh will use their portion of the JAG funds ($74,500) to purchase software licenses, supplies, equipment, new/replacement computer equipment, software and/or communications equipment, and programming in conjunction with the feasibility, development, enhancement, or implementation of automated systems for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The city of McKeesport will use their portion of the funds ($14,154) to acquire three patrol vehicles and one command vehicle through a lease/purchase program. The 2008 JAG funds will cover a portion of the first lease payment for the vehicles. The county of Allegheny will use their portion of the funds ($74,500) to fund one paralegal position for the District Attorney's Mental Health Unit, and to hire a consultant who will provide personnel to create and deploy software upgrades to the Legal Edge system and train office staff on the new modules. The Legal Edge system will provide staff with improved access to client files by providing instant retrieval, which will result in better management of attorney time. Allegheny County will also utilize $991 towards the administration of the grant award.

NCA/NCF