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 Richland Center, through the Richland Center Police Department, will use its Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $10,374 to purchase less-than-lethal weapons and equipment that will protect citizens, safeguard officers, and enhance crime fighting abilities. Specifically, funds will be applied towards: tasers, holsters, and cartridges; scanner kits for mobile data computers that will allow officers in the field to scan drivers licenses in order to retrieve necessary information; a computer to be used during Internet related criminal investigations; and a firewall program that will allow officers to access in-house records while out on patrol. Once awarded, grant funds will be spent in an expeditious manner, and all funds will be kept separate from any other source.

NCA/NCF