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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of Benton County and the cities of Kennewick and Richland will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $58,881 to support the needs of the local law enforcement agencies in the areas of equipment and supplies. Funding will be shared between the Benton County Sheriff's Office, Kennewick Police Department, and the Richland Police Department. All three agencies plan to invest in projects that will improve their technology and equipment tools. Kennewick Police Department will purchase crime mapping software and digital cameras and recorders. Benton County Sheriff's Office will obtain laptop computers, taser devices, and taser cartridges. The Richland Police Department will obtain magazines, digital cameras, transmitters and recorders, telephoto zoom lenses, and a storage system for use in the vehicle assigned to evidence technicians.

NCA/NCF