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 Scranton and the county of Lackawanna will use their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $16,320 to pay overtime for four patrol officers assigned to areas of the city that are in need of extra patrols. These areas are North Scranton, West Scranton, South Scranton, and Central City. These patrols will be highly visible, ensuring that the officers become familiar with the residents and businesses in the neighborhood. The goal is to minimize criminal activity and the fear associated with it. Residents of these neighborhoods will be empowered and given a sense of control over the activities around them. This, in turn, will open the door to finding solutions that benefit both the police department as well as the community. Thus, the residents become an active part of the solution in their respective neighborhoods.

NCA/NCF