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 Wilson and the county of Wilson are disparate jurisdictions and will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG funds to increase suspect identifications and apprehensions through the use of covert surveillance equipment; decrease officer/offender interactions by providing alternative technologies for approaching, monitoring, and identifying suspects; and decrease the number of serious injuries to jailed offenders and jail staff by providing surveillance systems that allow for immediate identification of potential risks. The use of surveillance equipment will supplement the existing operations at the Wilson Police Department and Wilson County Sheriff's Office. Covert surveillance equipment will be used to record incidents of criminal activity, identify offenders, and aid in the prosecution of cases. Additionally, through the use of unmanned surveillance technologies, officers will be provided with better safety and security environments while conducting the high risk operations. Overt surveillance measures will be used in the Wilson County Jail to provide added security to inmates and jailers through continuous recorded video monitoring.

NCA/NCF