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 Hattiesburg and the county of Forrest will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $13,772 for law enforcement purposes. The city of Hattiesburg will be the fiscal agent and will receive $8,623.20, while the county of Forrest will receive $5,508.80. The city of Hattiesburg will utilize their portion of the JAG funds to expand their non-lethal capabilities of patrol officers through the purchase of tasers. The goal of the taser program is to increase non-lethal self-defense options for officers, while improving the safety of its citizens. Tasers allow an officer to use non-lethal force to subdue a suspect thus reducing the chance of long-term injury to the individual, and eliminating the chance of collateral damage from stray bullets when forced to use a sidearm. The county of Forrest will use their portion of the funds for law enforcement purposes that will be determined at a later date.

NCA/NCF