Latch-Key After School Patrol Program & Special Enforcement Equipment

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 La Quinta will use its Recovery Act JAG funds to increase the police department's ability to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes. Specifically, the JAG funds will be used for officer overtime to continue the Latch-Key After-School Patrol Program; and special enforcement equipment purchases. Recently, the city of La Quinta has experienced issues with petty criminal acts around schools, neighborhoods, and businesses frequented by students within the first two hours after the end of the school day. The 180 day Latch-Key After-School Program will consist of two hours of overtime by two patrol officers to address juvenile delinquency including petty vandalism, theft, and assault incidents that occur after school. Special enforcement equipment purchases include two police segways with sirens and lights, two Smart Kart 510 speed display dolly with red/blue light bars, electronic handheld Citebook with thermal bluetooth printer, and an interview audio/video DVR recording system. By utilizing advanced technology, the police department will be able to enhance its ability to effectively manage community-oriented issues and promote overall safety.

NCA/NCF