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 Travis County and the city of Austin will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to support the needs of the local law enforcement agencies. Travis County will purchase equipment to replace the target system for the Travis County Sherriff's Office (TCSO) Firearms Training Center. It will consist of two, seven lane turning target systems with controllers and applicable software. This grant funding will also provide two rapid deployment shelters to protect outdoor crime scenes from the elements and allow technicians to work protected on scene. The Austin Police Department (APD) will use its funds to obtain essential equipment and supplies. The APD will obtain less lethal weapons (electroshock devices), portable truck scales, lasar radars, body wire kits, vehicle trackers, a cellebrite UFED, a toughbook computer, and two pre-paid cell phones. These funds will assist in the prevention and control of crime, and will also improve the criminal justice system.

NCA/NCF