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 county of Citrus will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $11,195 to provide wireless data communications on mobile laptop computers for road patrol officers. Specifically, these funds will be used to help pay for wireless data network services provided by commercial carriers offering service in the county. This wireless data service allows the officers to perform many computer functions from their vehicle or other remote locations such as running license plate numbers, sending/receiving email, viewing intelligence and terror alerts, viewing photos of suspects, and viewing the status of other patrol units. The ability to access the department's computer-based information greatly increases the efficiency of these officers and provides a significant increase in officer safety.

NCA/NCF