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).

Anderson County will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $11,629 to secure needed equipment for the Anderson County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's department will purchase ten tasers, allowing patrol officers to have an alternative weapon to reduce injuries to both themselves and alleged suspects. These officers will complete sixteen hours of training in the use of tasers. A portion of the funds will also be used to purchase needed SCUBA and associated diving equipment for the recovery of evidence and search and rescue efforts in Anderson County's numerous lakes and the Clinch River. Both the tasers and diving equipment are critical to the efforts of the Anderson County Sheriff's Department in providing a safer community for citizens and officers, while achieving its goals of reducing violence in the community and increasing its effectiveness in its efforts for underwater search, rescue, recovery, and evidence collection capabilities.

NCA/NCF