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 Harford will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $14,839 to establish more peaceful and stable communities along the Route 40 corridor. Specifically, the funds will be used to provide overtime and fringe benefits to officers to staff the Safety Zone projects and for enforcement activities in the Route 40 corridor of Harford County. In June 2008, the Harford County Sheriff's Office initiated its first Safe Zone project in the Edgewood area of the county. The Sheriff's Mobile Precinct is staffed at the location twenty-four hours a day for a predetermined time-frame. Multiple two-man teams are deployed from the Mobile Precinct into the targeted area. The enforcement action includes all resources of the Sheriff's Office including motor, bike, and foot patrols. After the Mobile Precinct is removed from the community, a proactive community policing contingent remains to evaluate the program and continue to dialog with the citizens in the area.

NCA/NCF