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 Bernalillo County and the city of Albuquerque will share the JAG award in the amount of $797,215 to upgrade law enforcement equipment and technology. The city of Albuquerque, acting as the fiscal agent, will use $675,086 to purchase field service equipment for the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). This equipment, which includes surveillance, radio, and communications systems, will be purchased for the crime lab, SWAT officers, Horse Mounted Unit, Traffic Unit, Evidence Unit, Planning Division, and the Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center. In addition, the APD will purchase a police airboat to allow officers to conduct search and rescue missions in and around the Rio Grande River and other water bodies for a longer period of time with a greater number of officers. Bernalillo County will use $122,129 to initiate a Jail Farm Enterprise by constructing a hydroponic greenhouse for the Metro Detention Center (MDC). The purpose of implementing this farm enterprise is intended to prepare the inmates at the MDC to re-enter society with practical work skills and values, as well as to provide a means by which to reduce some of the costs associated with feeding the inmates at the MDC. In addition, the county will purchase portable radios, as well as various accessories and spare parts for the sheriff's office.

NCA/NCF