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 Carlsbad and Eddy County will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $16,193 for officer overtime. Eddy County will be the fiscal agent of this grant and both the city of Carlsbad and Eddy County agreed to divide the total award amount equally. Both jurisdictions will use their portion of the JAG award to fund overtime activities specifically for school events where the potential for violence is higher than normal and where the use of alcohol and/or drugs being illegally consumed increases. Utilizing personnel on an overtime basis will alleviate the strain on regular patrol activities and enhance respective service to the community. Additionally, both the city and county departments will utilize JAG funds to pay officer overtime for Wise Eyes presentations for the private and public sectors. These presentations will allow departments the opportunity to receive input from residents and business representatives. The input will be relayed back to the respective administrations so that patrol tactics may be altered to meet current needs while addressing current threats. The Eddy County Sheriff's Department and the Carlsbad Police Department believe these programs will greatly improve their community policing strategies.

NCA/NCF