Purchase of Law Enforcement Equipment and Enhancing Prosecution Efforts Project

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 Corpus Christi and the county of Nueces will use their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $73,850 to purchase law enforcement equipment and to hire a drug prosecutor. The city of Corpus Christi will use their portion of the JAG award ($36,925) to provide training, and will purchase ammunition for the establishment of a patrol rifle program that will train officers in active shooter situations. Officers who wish to participate in the new patrol rifle program are required to purchase their own AR-15 rifle. The county of Nueces will use their portion of JAG funds ($36,925) to purchase body armor for the Sheriff's Department and will support the salary and benefits for a Drug Prosecutor position in the Nueces County District Attorney's Office. The Drug Prosecutor will prosecute drug cases, review pertinent case law and statutes, participate in the diversion court, and monitor inmates in jail on related drug cases.

NCA/NCF