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 Helena and Lewis and Clark County will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to supplement the Missouri River Drug Task Force (MRDTF) program that has recently experienced budget cuts. The city of Helena will act as the fiscal agent for this award. Specifically, the JAG funds will be used to retain police officer and deputy positions assigned to the MRDTF. These law enforcement personnel serve a critical function to the MRDTF in combating drug-related crimes and reducing or eliminating trafficking and manufacturing. The goal of this project is to impact drug possession by keeping drug officers on the street in the city of Helena and the Lewis and Clark County neighborhoods.

NCA/NCF