Mamou Police Department Officer Safety 2009

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 Town of Mamou will utilize its 2009 Recovery JAG award to purchase safety equipment for the police department. The equipment purchases will include: four stationary barriers, seven 12-gauge shotguns, seven gun locks, four mobile radios, four bullet-proof vests, a video surveillance system, and a used patrol vehicle. The stationary barriers will be installed in four patrol units to improve officers' safety while transporting suspects or inmates. The shotguns will be used for training to improve their tactical advantage. The mobile radios will be installed in patrol cars and will increase officers' safety and improve the communication between the officers and the police station. The video surveillance system will be installed at the police station. The surveillance system will enhance safety and record all activities at the police department.

NCA/NCF