Information Access 2009

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 of Lenoir County and the city of Kinston will use the Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to enhance equipment and technology that will improve the safety and security of its law enforcement officers and citizens. The Kinston Department of Public Safety (DPS) will use its share of the award to purchase an RMS server to upgrade their mobile field-based reporting system. This upgrade will decrease the amount of time taken to access data from the field, as well as increase the number of reports that can be filed from the field. DPS will also increase the number of reports and statistical data that are available to supervisors so that they can better allocate resources. Finally, DPS will use funds to purchase two outside cameras to enhance safety around their facility for officers and citizens.

Lenoir County will use its share of the award to enhance officer safety. They will use funds to purchase emergency response lighting for patrol vehicles and supply semi-automatic weapons to six officers.

NCA/NCF