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 Kingman will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to purchase surveillance equipment for the Kingman Police Department. The police department has two investigative units. One is the general Investigations Bureau that responds to and investigates major crimes. The second is the 'FLEX' Squad which conducts proactive investigations into criminal organizations within the community. These can be drug related, gang related, theft related, or any other continued pattern of criminal activity that affects the quality of life in the community. A large part of these investigations involve covert surveillance. This unit is in need of equipment that enhances their ability to conduct night time surveillance and record criminal activity for future prosecution. Having recorded evidence of a crime greatly aids in the prosecution of crimes and increases the probability of conviction. In many cases, this evidence will lead to settlements that avoid going to trial and adding to any already heavy case load in the court system.

NCA/NCF