Project Safe Childhood 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).

Niagara County and the city of Niagara Falls will apply Fiscal Year 2009 JAG funding towards their Project Safe Childhood Program, a collaborative effort aimed at combating the sexual exploitation of children. Specifically, the salary and benefits of a criminal investigator will be supported. The investigator will follow leads from local criminal justice agencies and members of the community, and will conduct trial preparations for prosecutors to ensure violent sex offenders receive the maximum sentences possible. Partnerships involving information sharing with child advocacy and federal law enforcement agencies will also be developed, in addition to public education and prevention programs. For administration purposes, the county will serve as the fiscal agent for this award.

NCA/NCF