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 the county of El Paso and the cities of El Paso and Socorro will use their Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award in the amount of $339,105 to enhance the capabilities of each of the entities included to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures. The County of El Paso will serve as fiscal agent. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office will use its share of the grant funds to upgrade the detention facilities, Internal Affairs, Criminal Investigations Bureau, and Patrol Division with computers and equipment. The District Attorney's Office will use a portion to acquire updated technology to create efficiencies in operations and provide prosecutors greater resources in case preparation and trial presentation. The city of Socorro will use its funds to purchase telecommunication services and computers for the Socorro Community Recreation Center. The El Paso Police Department will use its share to purchase ballistic protection for officer safety.

NCA/NCF