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 Ouachita Parish and the city of Monroe will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $24,329 to continue parish-wide enhancements to their information sharing and interoperable communications systems. The Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office will use $12,164.50 in JAG funds to purchase surveillance equipment for the collection of data, which will be electronically stored, categorized, and processed. Specifically, the sheriff's office will purchase an automatic license plate recognition system. This equipment will assist in the detection and apprehension of criminal terrorists in their community. The City of Monroe will use their portion of JAG funds ($12,164.50) to upgrade their wireless communication and information technology through the acquisition of software and hardware for the police department.

NCA/NCF