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 Lubbock County and the city of Lubbock will use their JAG award in the amount of $263,163 to update patrol car video systems, enhance computer technology and purchase a new police car. The city of Lubbock, acting as the fiscal agent, will use $131,581.50 to upgrade video recording systems in the Lubbock Police Department's Patrol Division vehicle fleet to digital video media from outdated analog technology. This project includes the acquisition of new and the enhancement of existing mobile computer terminals in the police department's vehicle fleet in order to achieve interoperability with the new DVR systems. This enhancement will allow the department to more efficiently and effectively gather video and audio evidence during enforcement situations and to record citizen contacts in accordance with state racial profiling prevention laws. Lubbock County will use $131,581.50 to purchase a new patrol vehicle for the District Attorney Investigators Unit. This new vehicle will be purchased as a replacement for existing vehicles to avoid the safety issues and maintenance costs associated with the high mileage of the vehicles currently in use. Funds will also be used to upgrade existing data infrastructure, including computer and technology purchases to upgrade existing networks and computers.

NCA/NCF