Operation Linebacker

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition (TBSC) will utilize the FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Award to continue supporting the State of Texas border security project titled, Operation Linebacker. The Coalition is comprised of sheriffs' offices from 20 bordering counties along the Texas-Mexico border which work cooperatively with local, state, and federal law enforcement to provide enhanced law enforcement services and extra patrols along the border. Operation Linebacker is an expanded version of Operation Stonegarden, in which additional counties are included, provideing various support operations along the border.

The sheriffs who live and work along the border must identify resources that are available for the protection of Texas communities. The TBSC will contract with the 20 sheriffs' offices, as they are the sole source providers of law enforcement services in the 20 counties along the Texas/Mexico border. Each of the sheriffs' offices will provide enhanced law enforcement services within the 20 counties on the Texas/Mexico border. Grant funds will cover fiscal agent administrative costs (personnel, travel expenses, office equipment, vehicle, and indirect costs); and contracted services with the 20 bordering counties (personnel; overtime; tactical and safety equipment; tasers; ammunition; vehicles; surveillance/radar/emergency/medical equipment; GPS; uniforms and gear; etc.).

NCA/NCF