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 Billings and Yellowstone County will use their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $11,390 to purchase law enforcement equipment. The Billings Police Department will use its share ($10,390) to purchase and install light bars on their police vehicles. These light bars will replace current light bars that are more than 20 years old with more efficient, smaller, and brighter LED light bars. JAG funds will also be used to fund miscellaneous equipment for five patrol cars. The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Department will use its share of JAG funds ($1,000) to purchase a light bar for one patrol car. These new light bars have no moving parts, requires one fifth of the energy to run, and provides a light output ten times that of current light bars.

NCA/NCF