FY 2008 JAG Initiative

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 Salinas and Monterey County will receive $39,520 in disparate JAG funding for FY 2008. An agreement was reached between the two governments to allow the city of Salinas to use all awarded funds towards the purchase of a new patrol car and related equipment. The patrol cars currently used by the Salinas Police Department are an aging and failing fleet, averaging over 105,000 miles each and on the road twenty-four hours per day. Because there is no surplus, during shift changes, on-coming officers have to wait in the parking lot for off-going officers to return vehicles. The department is often forced to staff vehicles with multiple officers. Vehicles continuously suffer from malfunctions and the city can only afford to make the most necessary mechanical repairs. With the purchase of one patrol car along with emergency equipment (lighting, a computer, and communications), the Salinas Police Department can continue serving the community by providing swift and reliable response times to calls of service.

NCA/NCF