City of Reading JAG Law Enforcement Project

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 Berks County and the city of Reading will use their JAG Local award, in the amount of $134,365, to support the needs of the local law enforcement agencies in the areas of training, personnel, equipment, overtime, and supplies. The Reading Police Department will utilize the funds to purchase three police patrol vehicles and ten Tasers. The Berks County Sheriff's Office will use the funds for equipment, training, and overtime costs incurred by officers participating in the District Attorney's Drug Task Force.

NCA/NCF