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 city of Port St. Lucie will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to purchase a K-9 police dog, tasers, and less-lethal shotguns necessary to provide officers with the ability to overcome resistance and make an effective, lawful arrest. The impact of the additional K-9 police dog would provide the Port St. Lucie police department with drug and bomb sniffing capabilities. The goal of the city is to increase officer safety by improving their ability to make an effective, lawful arrest, thus protecting the officer and/or others from bodily harm.

NCA/NCF