FY 2009 Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant 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 Kanabec County Sheriff's Office will use their 2009 Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant funds in the amount of $15,156 to purchase much needed equipment that they would not otherwise be able to buy. The county plans to purchase two automated external defibrillators for their court room and the jail. The county plans to hire a new deputy in 2009 and funds would be used to purchase equipment needed to outfit the position. Two bulletproof vests, specifically designed for emergency response teams will also be purchased. The 911 dispatch center will receive a much-needed computer and printer with the JAG Recovery Act funds. Finally, funds will be used to provide information to students at Mora and Ogilvie High Schools about the consequences of drunk driving. This project includes the county sheriff, business owners, victims, and students, all of whom have been impacted because of an accident involving a drunk driver. Teachers will then follow-up with classroom discussion.

NCA/NCF