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 Louisville Jefferson County Metro Government will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to raise business and consumer awareness about the problem of business theft, reduce the prison and jail recidivism rate through an Offender Re-entry program, purchase 14 patrol vehicles, continue an established program of neighborhood watch surveillance cameras, purchase ATVs and trailers, and provide overtime for the Violent Crime Initiatives. The overtime provided for the Violent Crime Initiatives will be used to meet face to face with residents and business owners to talk about crime prevention and view neighborhoods or specific areas to investigate the specific crime problem and provide enforcement. Fourteen patrol vehicles will also be purchased to replace in-service vehicles with mileage exceeding 100,000 miles. The new vehicles will reduce the amount of time a vehicle is in the garage for repairs. This will keep the officers on the street and help reduce crime. ATVs and trailers will be used to assist in transporting rescue personnel and equipment to emergency situations in undeveloped areas such as, remote areas along the Ohio River, in Louisville Metro Parks, in the downtown patrol areas, along River Walk (10 -12 miles) and Waterfront Park where large vehicle access is not possible. The Crime Prevention Campaign will provide brochures and televised public service announcements to inform the public about indications that business theft exists and means of prevention. The continuation of neighborhood watches surveillance cameras will be used to record suspicious and illegal activity for evidentiary purposes and provide the benefits of displacing crime and reducing fear of crime in specific neighborhoods. Funding of a re-entry program will provide offender re-entry services within the county.

NCA/NCF