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).

Pinellas County and the cities of Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs have been certified disparate and will share the aggregate of funds allocated to them through the Fiscal Year 2009 JAG Program, with Pinellas County serving as the fiscal agent. JAG funds will be used to fund projects for the involved agencies. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office will partner with the cities of Clearwater, Largo, and Tarpons Springs and use funds to provide more efficient law enforcement services through the funding of fourteen deputy positions for their Prisoner Transport Unit. St. Petersburg will use their portion of the funds to supplement overtime related to their Neighborhood Initiatives Community Policing Program. Pinellas Park will use grant funds to purchase in-car video camera systems. Dunedin will use funds to purchase digitized traffic speed signs to enhance law enforcement efforts related to traffic and speed enforcement within the city limits.

NCA/NCF