Law Enforcement Efficiency and Safety Initiative

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 Pottawattamie County and the city of Council Bluffs will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $122,609 to purchase equipment, upgrade information and technology systems, and participate in training to enhance the law enforcement mission. The city of Council Bluffs will use their share of JAG funds on new equipment to be used by the city's Criminalistics Unit. Effective July 1, 2009, the city will be authorized to hire two additional technicians and in order for them to do their job more effectively and efficiently, the city will be replacing some old and outdated equipment. The department will purchase a new camera, flash, lens, computers, and tripod. They will also purchase equipment that will be used to obtain and process trace evidence and fingerprints. This will include an alternate light source, an LED illuminator, and a fuming chamber. In order to serve the public that is waiting in the records lobby, the city is going to purchase a LCD TV. Necessary equipment, such as new uniforms, badges, and collapsible traffic cones will also be purchased. Finally, the city is also starting a drug interdiction program for the interstate system. In order to make this program work, the city is going to send two officers to the Desert Snow Program for training.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff's office will use their portion for equipment. The county will purchase a large utility type box to be mounted to the chassis of a truck they have already purchased. This is a special use vehicle that will be used by their SWAT team. This box will hold the equipment they use for "call-outs." They will also purchase five cruiser cameras. These initiatives through JAG funds will involve purchasing equipment and provide crucial training for which there is no available funding.

NCA/NCF