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 the city of Greely and Weld County will utilize their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $24,368 to purchase law enforcement equipment. The Greely Police Department will use their portion of the JAG funds ($16,245.33) to purchase tasers as a less-than-lethal force alternative for its officers. The police department currently has a small number of tasers in stock, and those have already proven to be effective, allowing officers to incapacitate and apprehend resisting individuals without injuring themselves or the suspects. The Weld County Sheriff's Office will use the remaining funds ($8,122.67) to purchase a push-to-talk communications system. This system's earpieces and operation make it easier for the Sheriff's sniper team to use while wearing its camouflage gear. The Sheriff's Office will also purchase a Nikon D300 SLR camera for field use.

NCA/NCF