City/County Joint Justice Assistance Grant Application

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 and city of Tulsa are in a disparate relationship and will share the 2008 JAG award totaling $220,363. The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office operates a Special Operations Team (SOT) that consists of a sniper and ground unit. The ground unit enters buildings and other structures in search of suspects while snipers provide over-watch protection and relay critical information to the ground team regarding suspect movement. Most operations take place in total darkness. The SOT trains regularly and provides a high level of expertise in order to protect victims and fellow team members during operations. Weapons carried by the ground unit produce an extremely loud report when fired; this can present a hazard for operators and victims alike. These hazards can be reduced with the attachment of suppressors to each member's weapon. With the use of these attachments, members can determine who is or who is not discharging weapons within the structure and reduce the risk of mistaken identity that could lead to 'friendly fire'. To efficiently protect the operation, snipers require rifle scopes that are night vision capable. These scopes will be mounted on existing rifles already assigned to the SOT marksman. The SOT will use $6,283 towards the suppressor attachments and $4,473 for night scopes, totaling $10,756.

The city of Tulsa Police Department will use a total of $209,607 in three designated trouble spots. $50,000 will go towards an overtime program to increase and continue registration of convicted sex offenders. Supervisors and investigators will receive training on program goals, registration statutes, and arrest affidavits. Another $50,000 will be provided for officers to investigate commercial vendors in regards to the sale of chemicals used for methamphetamine production as well as the disposal and clean-up of labs. Remaining funds totaling $109,607 will be used to address problem areas of North Peoria/Downtown and the 2100 block of South Garnett Road. Both areas draw large crowds after local nightclubs close and during late night events. Patrol officers currently monitor the area but with an increase in violent crime associated with the large crowds and requests to respond to various other service calls, these patrols are insufficient. A directed patrol unit, consisting of four to eight officers, free of other duties, will be assigned to these problem areas during peak gathering hours. The project will also provide one dispatch personnel dedicated to only this event in order to control radio traffic, and one sergeant to oversee the special assignment. Each of these dedicated areas is in desparate need of funding and with the 2008 JAG, the county and city of Tulsa will be able to support and continue their efforts in making the neighborhoods of Tulsa safe for residents and visitors alike.

NCA/NCF