Public Safety and Judicial Program Enhancements Projects

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 county of Greenville will use it Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program award in the amount of $1,036,590 for law enforcement and judicial support programs with the objective of enhancing and continuing programs established in the County's public safety, law enforcement, and judicial departments. Funds will be used for the acquisition of equipment needed for law enforcement agencies, temporary personnel to assist with special projects for law enforcement agencies, and the continued funding of the County's drug court programs. The primary goal of this project is to improve and/or augment services provided to the citizens of Greenville County by the law enforcement and judicial departments within the county government. Public safety and judicial program enhancements will provide equipment, supplies, and training for the County's Sheriff's Office, DNA laboratory, and detention center. It will also provide funding for the creation of temporary positions within the Public Safety Department divisions to assist with special projects. Also, the project will provide contractual and operational funding for the continuation of the adult and juvenile drug court programs administered through the Circuit Solicitor's Office. Training for equipment received will occur immediately after the equipment is installed. The acquisition of supplies and contractual services will be an ongoing process throughout the project period as long as funds remain. The hiring of temporary personnel will occur within the first three months of the project period. The County's Office of Management and Budget will be responsible for the coordination of all progress and financial reports for each affected department. Reports will be submitted according to the Department of Justice guidelines.

NCA/NCF