Neighborhood-Based Crime Prevention and Technology Improvements

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 Kent County and the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming will use their JAG award in the amount of $338,689 to reduce crime and increase public safety, enhance officer safety and efficiency, and improve communications capabilities. The city of Grand Rapids, serving as the fiscal agent, will use their share of the grant ($155,179) to continue neighborhood-based crime prevention activities and pay for costs associated with managing the grant award. Kent County will use $121,310 to upgrade technology in its dispatch center. The city of Kentwood will use $21,850 to purchase equipment for police officers and upgrade the police department's records and non-emergency telephone systems. The city of Wyoming will use $40,350 to update the police department's in-car video equipment, report writing system, and crime scene equipment.

NCA/NCF