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 county of Chesterfield will use their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $34,597 to enhance their ability to provide safe court facilities for county employees, judicial personnel, and citizens. Specifically, Chesterfield County needs to enhance their ability to respond to an active shooter situation in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courthouse. Currently, they are experiencing an increasing level of volatile encounters due to the types of cases heard, such as divorces, custody cases, and crimes committed against minors. Fortunately, the confrontations have not escalated to the point of weapons becoming involved, but the county feels that it is critical to provide deputies with the proper tools and protection should they be required to deal with such a situation. The Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office will use the JAG funds to support the purchase of raised bulletproof glass barriers and panels for the security station at the courthouse to provide deputies with additional protection.

NCA/NCF