Overtime.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local governments, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and 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, including 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 and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The city of New Britain will use fiscal year 2009 JAG funds in the amount of $82,923 to fund overtime to support new policing initiatives. The New Britain Police Department (NBPD) has created a Housing Police Unit dedicated to patrolling properties that have been identified as areas with reemerging drug culture and gang violence. This unit will report actions and gang activity to the Investigations Division and any drug activity will be assigned to the Drug Enforcement Unit. This coordination of activities along with referrals to the Police Athletic League will be part of a a comprehensive approach to emerging crime activities within these designated housing projects. The grant will also provide overtime for detectives to address burglary, robbery, and auto theft. These cumulative efforts will provide sustained policing to areas of crime otherwise left to understaffed routine patrols and investigations.

NCA/NCF