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 city of Roanoke Rapids, through the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to purchase 14 tasers and associated supplies. The Roanoke Rapids Police department intends to purchase tasers to equip all patrolmen with a device. The police department chose to start the taser non-lethal weapon program to give them alternatives for the type and amount of force to be used when making an arrest. Arrests can be made without injuries associated with impact weapons. Chemical sprays are hard to control and often cannot be used without affecting innocent bystanders and temporally contaminating buildings. When officers can arrest offenders without incident, all benefit. The police agency keeps its cost down with reduced injuries and complaints. Finally, the offender has no permanent injury or one requiring costly medical attention.

NCA/NCF