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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of Montgomery County and the city of Montgomery will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $209,795 to support the needs of the County's Investigative Enhancement Initiative. This initiative will provide needed equipment for the Montgomery Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. The main objective of this initiative is to increase the effectiveness of their investigative divisions through the use of audio/video and computer equipment. In addition, they will send two investigators to be trained extensively in computer forensics. This training will aid investigators in white collar crime, computer crime, and child predator cases. Some of the funds allocated will be used to purchase laptops for motorcycle officers to enable them to investigate traffic accidents under the state of Alabama's E-crash program. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office will also purchase four Ford patrol cruisers. Finally, the Montgomery Police Department will use the remainder of the money to purchase spike strips for the Patrol Division in order to better control vehicle pursuits.

NCA/NCF