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 city of Norfolk will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $95,304 to support law enforcement equipment, court security, drug treatment, reentry services for ex-offenders, and treatment and supervision of offenders. The Norfolk Police Department (NPD) will purchase 33 Tasers with cameras and warranties. The NPD has researched the benefits of using the Tasers and has determined that it provides an effective non-lethal means of apprehending violent individuals with the least possibility of injury to the parties involved. The device is also equipped with a digital video recorder to document encounters and reduce incidents where the device can be abused. The Norfolk Sheriff's Department will purchase seven 19-inch and four 32-inch electronic surveillance video monitors to replace the current outdated equipment located in the lobbies of the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile/Domestic Court. The surveillance equipment is an integral part of the department's efforts to improve technology in the buildings and enhance security for the judges, court personnel, and citizens. The Norfolk Community Services Board provides treatment to people who are opioid dependent through the Opioid Drug Treatment Program. They will use JAG grant funds to retain a counseling position with a caseload of 40 people per month to help keep the waiting list to a minimum.

The Second Chances (Community Corrections Program) provides 'Job Readiness' training; job referral and placement; family and individual counseling; and, personal development workshops to ex-offenders to provide them with the skills and assistance needed to obtain full-time employment. The grant funds will help to support these services through staffing, supplies, and transportation costs. The Norfolk Criminal Justice Services-Local Offender Treatment and Supervision is a community-based, service-oriented corrections organization that serves Norfolk's defendant and offender populations. The grant funds will support substance abuse treatment, domestic violence, anger management, petit larceny counseling, and mental health assessments.

NCA/NCF