Justice Assistance Grant Project

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).

East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, serving as the fiscal agent, submitted a joint application in coordination with the police department's city of Baton Rouge-East Baton Rouge. They will share $459,819 in 2009 JAG funds to support technology improvements. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office will use their share of the grant ($229,909.50) to purchase mobile handheld devices equipped with biometric fingerprint scanning; software for inmate property and work release and printsearch identification; and training. The city of Baton Rouge-East Baton Rouge will use $229,909.50 to purchase K-9 dogs to assist in the prevention and apprehension of suspects; a mule ATV to properly respond to incidents under hostile and rural conditions; a T100 imaging x-ray system to increase the level of safety and accuracy in explosives investigations; training academy equipment and tools to include an enclosed trailer, CPR mannequins, training suits, audio/visual equipment, and an ATV mule to enhance the ability of the training academy to better serve and train new recruits and officers in law enforcement safety and response mechanisms; vehicle alarm systems for the SWAT vehicles to secure explosives, weapons and tactical gear; license plate readers and backhaul systems and technical surveillance equipment to prevent and reduce drug trafficking; pro HD camcorders to provide better imagery to be used in court during investigations; portable burglary alarm systems to effectively and efficiently respond to burglaries in progress; and forensic extraction devices to allow the computer crimes division the ability to extract pertinent information, data, and evidence from cell phones.

NCA/NCF