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 county of Monroe will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to pay for Spanish training for 10 of their police officers. Due to the growing number of Hispanics in their community, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department has a need to provide their officers with the tools to be able to communicate with their Hispanics residents. They will also purchase tasers, which give officers a less than lethal form of protection when faced with an offender. The county's goals are to increase efficiency, reduce crime, and increase the safety and security of the county of Monroe.

NCA/NCF