Community Policing, Officer Safety and Technology Improvement

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 Port Orchard will use the FY 2009 JAG funds to purchase equipment to improve community policing programs, improve officer safety and training, and add and upgrade technology in the Port Orchard Police Department that will increase the agency's efficiency and productivity. Equipment to be purchased includes an additional police bicycle for neighborhood and downtown patrols and special events, functional flashlight devices that not only provide adequate lighting in a compact source, but also provides a strobe feature to disrupt aggressors, updated computer technology for administrative, records management, and support functions, and additional props to improve emergency vehicle operation training. These equipment purchases will contribute to a higher level of police services in this community by providing an additional police presence, an increase in officer safety, and more efficient administrative functions.

NCA/NCF