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).

Wood County will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to purchase tasers and mobile vehicle repeaters for the sheriff's office. Tasers are a less than lethal electronic control device used by law enforcement to control unruly and uncooperative subjects. Wood County is a partially urban and rural county with many hills and valleys that block radio signals and make communications virtually impossible for a portable radio. The mobile vehicle repeaters will allow a deputy to remain safe when out of the vehicle and away from the radio contact of the vehicle. The purchase of the equipment will increase the safety of the officers and the citizens of Wood County.

NCA/NCF