Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $300,000)
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 Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office will use the FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Award to replace worn out police vehicles for the Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Offices. The two parishes were severely affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and are slowly recovering from the tumultuous conditions that the storm left them in. Each parish suffered from declines in tax revenue due to the population decreases; however, as citizens begin to return home, the law enforcement agencies are challenged with protecting their citizens on a limited budget. Grant funds will be used to purchase new intercepter units, which will save on high maintenance costs of the upkeep of older units, and augment public safety through increased police patrols.
NCA/NCF