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 Daytona Beach will utilize its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $33,089 to purchase law enforcement equipment. The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) will use JAG funds to obtain a single, cost-effective, and efficient bar-coding system that will allow evidence clerks to receive, record, track, and dispose of the items received. Utilization of a bar coding system will allow staff to enter items into a computerized tracking system that will automatically assign an identification number and storage location. Staff will also have the option to scan a picture of the item, and to specifically identify the person who submitted the item into a record. In addition, signatures will be captured and recorded simultaneously. A unique barcode label is then generated for tracking, storing, moving, and retrieval. The items will be stored in a warehouse in the Property and Evidence Division, and will be made readily available for investigative and legal purposes. The chain of custody will be efficiently documented from the time items are acquired until they are properly disposed. It is essential that available grant funds be used to transition DBPD's increasing volume of property and evidence items to the new facility. The overall objective of implementing a bar coding tracking system for the Property and Evidence Division of the DBPD is to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and security of the evidence facility.

NCA/NCF