2009 Recovery Act JAG Program

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act') and by 42 U.S.C. 3751(a). The stated purposes of the Recovery Act are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new website ' Recovery.gov ' to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funded under the Recovery Act is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Recovery JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. Recovery JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

The city of Rathdrum will use its Recovery Act JAG funds to enhance the ability of its police department to provide professional and efficient service to its citizens. Due to the current state of the economy, the police department has been forced to reduce the amount of budgeted police vehicles from two vehicles to one vehicle. This reduction in police vehicles leaves the department short of patrol vehicles; therefore, the JAG funds will be used to purchase one used police vehicle to be used by patrol officers. Additionally, the funds will be used to outfit the patrol car with required equipment such as a radio, siren, partition, lights and computer equipment. The vehicle will be used to patrol the city of Rathdrum, respond to crimes, enforce traffic laws, and conduct other law enforcement related duties.

NCA/NCF