FY 2009 Justice Assistance Grant 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 city of Saco will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $11,071 to cover overtime costs and benefits for the Domestic Violence Recidivism Monitoring Program. The Saco Police Department, in coordination with the city of Saco, created this program to make female victims of partner violence safer by assessing the risk of recidivism by male partners who have committed previous violent assaults. Funding will support follow-up monitoring at residences where male domestic assault arrests have been made. This monitoring will occur between the time of the defendant's release from custody and the time of final resolution or trial. The Saco Police Department will provide two officers to meet weekly to assess the current outstanding caseload and visit residences where experience, evidence, and the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) score sheet indicate a high likelihood of recidivism.

NCA/NCF