FY 2009 Justice Assistance Grant Program

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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of the city of Meridian and Lauderdale County will use the JAG award in the amount of $53,020 to fund law enforcement initiatives. The city of Meridian, acting as the fiscal agent, will use $31,812 to fund overtime for their Directed Action Response Team (DART). The response team is tasked with working areas of the city where crime has increased. Lauderdale County will use $21,208 to purchase portable radios, tasers, vest carriers, and an in-car video camera.

NCA/NCF