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).

Bristol County, the cities of Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton, and the town of Dartmouth will apply fiscal year 2009 JAG funding towards separate law enforcement initiatives aimed at enhancing community policing efforts. Specifically, the city of Attleboro will use funds to support officer training centering on tactical operations. The city of Fall River will apply its share towards officer overtime incurred from targeting policing efforts and upgraded equipment for its police department. The city of New Bedford will also support officer overtime costs and upgrade surveillance, communication, and special operations equipment. The city of Taunton police department will pay for officer overtime involving patrols of high risk areas and gun, gang, and drug activity. The town of Dartmouth will use funds for officer overtime based on intelligence from surrounding law enforcement agencies that involve drug and gang activities. Surveillance equipment and wireless devices that enable officer connectivity in the field will also be supported. Remaining funds will be used by the county sheriff's office for administration costs associated with managing the award. The county has been designated as the fiscal agent for this grant.

NCA/NCF