Security Camera System 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 city of Petersburg will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $20,758 to install ten cameras and video monitoring equipment in its courts and courtyard. The court complex is open to public access and members of the general public can walk up to the back entrance of the city's lock-up and can be within visual distance of a prisoner escort headed to one of the courts. The area used for prisoner escorts is not restricted or otherwise indicated by symbolic or real barriers. The Petersburg Sheriff's Office will install the cameras in these areas and will use them as a surveillance tool. These cameras will provide reasonable coverage of the perimeter of the courts complex, thus providing the Petersburg Sheriff's Office with another layer of security protection.

NCA/NCF