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 Cameron County and the cities of Brownsville and Harlingen will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $172,936 to support the needs of the local law enforcement agencies in the areas of personnel, equipment, supplies and information systems. The Brownsville Police Department intends to purchase eighteen mobile data computers for its patrol fleet. The Harlingen Police Department intends to purchase ten XTS 2500 portable radios, seven batteries, seven carrying cases, seven chargers, seven radio microphones, and three radio earpieces to be used by its officers. The Cameron County Sheriff's Office intends to purchase equipment for five of its law enforcement and criminal justice departments. Cameron County Adult Probation Department will use a portion to purchase a motorized entrance gate for the Cameron-Willacy Counties Restitution Center; Constable, Precinct 3 will use a share to purchase four law enforcement duty gear sets, four leg irons, four nylon control straps, four nylon transport belts, four winter jackets, five back-up batteries, one desktop computer, and one license for the computer; Constable, Precinct 4 will use a portion to purchase three radars and one laptop computer; the District Attorney's Office will use a protion to purchase four computers with VISTA or Windows Seven platform, licenses for four computers, two laser printers, three shredders with extended warranties, and shipping costs; and the Cameron County Juvenile Probation Department will use a portion to purchase one hundred surveillance kits, fifty clips for lapel microphones, and eight premium batteries for use in the Department's Detention and Boot Camp.

NCA/NCF