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 Anderson County and the city of Palestine will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $12,505 to purchase laptop computers and a radar monitoring device. The city of Palestine will use their share of JAG funds for technology improvements to purchase five Panasonic Tough Book laptop computers. This equipment will streamline the investigators' duties and provide for a safer work environment by permitting investigators access to valuable crime information more quickly. This will aid in identifying persons and property and also allowing investigators the ability to complete necessary reports and documents on scene rather than having to return to the office. Anderson County will use its portion to purchase the Genesis II Select radar unit. The goal of the Anderson County Sheriff's Office Safe Streets Initiative is to enhance traffic safety enforcement in and around the county. The sheriff's office has been tasked with a greater responsibility for maintaining traffic enforcement on county roads and highways due to an increase in traffic accidents in the county. The radar unit is necessary to be able to enforce the traffic laws on these roadways. Both of these initiatives would not be possible without JAG funding.

NCA/NCF