FY 2009 Justice Assistance Grant

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).

Schenectady County and the city of Schenectady will apply fiscal year 2009 JAG funding towards multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing criminal justice efforts in the community. Through the grant, the city and county will support operation costs of their community accountability board, which provides an alternative sentencing option for offenders charged with non-violent quality of life offenses such as petit larceny, vandalism, underage drinking, and loitering. The city will also use funds to purchase uniforms and weapons for its tactical team and support the salary of personnel tasked with monitoring the police department's surveillance cameras. The county, serving as the fiscal agent for this award, will purchase additional surveillance cameras to be mounted in hot spot areas of the city as part of its joint city/county public safety camera project. An independent evaluation of the public safety camera project and computers and associated software for the district attorney's office gun and anti-gang unit will also be funded.

NCA/NCF