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 Manitowoc County and the city of Manitowoc will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $18,886 to create a K-9 Unit and enhance the night vision capabilities of the department. The city of Manitowoc will use their portion of the JAG funds to obtain a K-9, select and train a handler, and implement its use on the Manitowoc Police Department within the next three years. The strategies are to expand upon the research they have already done, go ahead with the selection of the K-9 officer, and move forward with training. The goals of the K-9 project are to increase officer safety which is measurable by counting the number of officer injuries due to arrest situations and to improve community relations by giving presentations with the K-9 unit. Manitowoc County will use its portion to enhance the sheriff department's night vision capabilities. The department oversees a Special Operations Team which includes members from area law enforcement agencies. The sheriff's department is also responsible for responding to any threats to a Nuclear Plant facility located in the jurisdiction. Currently the Special Operations Team has three older generation night vision units available. The purchase of one NV Monocular Night Enforcer NEPVS-14 generation 3 would allow the department to enhance this area of equipment. This enhancement would help assist with crime prevention, assist the local metro drug unit, and enhance the law enforcement agencies' response of possible threats in the community.

NCA/NCF