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 of Imperial and the city of El Centro will use their JAG award to purchase law enforcement equipment. The county of Imperial will use its share of funding ($5,897.50) to purchase cameras, monitors, and microphones for the Sheriff's Department's interview room. The city of El Centro will use its share of the JAG award ($5,897.50) to purchase three pepper ball custom carbines and related accessories for the El Centro Police Department. These less-than-lethal weapons permit officers to fire pepper ball pellets at potentially violent offenders.

NCA/NCF