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 East Providence will its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to upgrade their Emergency Communications Center. The Communications Center is operated by the East Providence Police Department and is tasked with providing essential communications operations to both the police and fire departments. The center is physically located within police headquarters and is staffed 24-hours a day with no less than two full-time civilian personnel. The majority of the equipment currently used is more than 15 years old, increasingly unreliable, and very difficult to secure spare parts for. The console furniture is over 26 years old, with several areas of structural damage and not able to accommodate modern computer and telecommunications equipment. The East Providence Police Deparment will purchase console furniture equipment to support four operator positions with JAG grant funds. The city's goal is to provide essential communications operations to both the police and fire departments.

NCA/NCF