Rapides Parish JAG Projects

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 Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office and City of Alexandria have been certified disparate and have agreed to equally divide the aggregate of funds allocated to them. The Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office will use their half of the funds to sustain their Metro Narcotics Task Force, which is comprised of five municipal police departments, one sheriff's office, and one district attorney's office. Activities of the Metro Narcotics Unit include investigations of meth and other narcotic activities to be used for prosecution, intelligence gathering, Knock and Talk operations, the exchange of confidential intelligence among member agencies, and maintaining track of confidential informants. The City of Alexandria will use their share of the grant funds to address illegal narcotics and other criminal activities on an overtime basis. Enforcement activities will include surveillances, criminal patrols, knock & talks, and interdictions. Grant funds will also be used to purchase laptop computers for motorcycle officers and a wireless surveillance system.

NCA/NCF