FY 2009 Justice Assistance Grant

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).

New York City, through the Mayor's Office of the Criminal Justice Coordinator (CJC), will apply fiscal year 2009 JAG funding towards multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing law enforcement, crime prevention, and prosecution efforts within the community. Specifically, CJC will sub-award funds to the New York City Police Department to support the salary and fringe benefits of police communications technicians stationed at the city's 911 call center. Due to ongoing financial difficulties, the hiring of support personnel has been severely restricted. The JAG award will allow the city to maintain appropriate levels of staffing to continue to respond to calls in a timely and efficient manner, ultimately aiding in the reduction of crime occurring throughout the city. Funds will also be sub-awarded to the Department of Correction and the John Jay School of Criminal Justice for a correctional officer training initiative focusing on a holistic approach to the rehabilitation of adolescent offenders. Remaining funds will support the creation of a Financial Crime Task Force dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of tax fraud and other white collar crimes, and a Citywide Community Service Initiative, in which offenders sentenced to community service will be monitored to ensure compliance. The citywide initiative will also focus community service on locations severely affected by quality-of-life crime and high-crime in an effort to improve the neighborhood.

NCA/NCF