Lincoln City FY 2009 Local JAG 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).

The disparate jurisdictions consisting of Lancaster County and the city of Lincoln will use their JAG award in the amount of $327,044 to reduce illegal drug-related violent crime; to reduce the use, distribution, and sale of illegal drugs; and to increase officer safety, evidence gathering, and transcription capabilities in the county. LINC (Lincoln/Lancaster County Investigative Narcotics Cooperative) was established in 1988 to serve Lancaster County. LINC co-exists with the Nebraska State Patrol headquarters narcotics unit in an off-site facility, away from police headquarters. This off-site facility also has work areas for the DEA, FBI, ATF, IRS, and U.S. Attorney's Office. The city, serving as the fiscal agent, and the county agreed that all funds from the grant will be used to support LINC by paying salaries of members employed by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and Lancaster County Attorney's Office and facility fees and purchasing in-car cameras for marked cruisers and digital evidence server and storage solutions.

NCA/NCF