Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 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 of Jefferson County and the city of Pine Bluff will use their FY 2009 Justice JAG award to support the Pine Bluff and Jefferson County Public Safety Program to reduce crime and improve public safety, as well as enhance both departments' abilities in the areas of planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs and officer safety. The grant funds will be used to purchase equipment that will enhance the criminal investigation ability to detect and solve both violent and non-violent crimes. The funds will also be used to help further ensure the safety of law enforcement officers in carrying out day-to-day law enforcement functions as well as high risk functions such as execution of search warrants which include, but are not limited to, pursuit of illegal drug activity and fugitive apprehension.

NCA/NCF