New Smyrna Beach Police Athletic League

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 city of New Smyrna Beach will use their local JAG award to fund overtime pay for police officers and city personnel who work as mentors for youth through the New Smyrna Beach (NSB) Police Athletic League (PAL) program. The NSB PAL is actively involved in a mentoring program that supports education and develops career as well as personal skills. The NSB PAL provides basketball, football, karate, track and field, volleyball, cheerleading, and homework assistance to approximately 350 enrolled participants. With JAG funding, this program will continue to provide both prevention and education programs to local youth in an effort to reduce drug use and violent behavior.

NCA/NCF