Rumford Police Department Drug Investigation and Tactical Response 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 town of Rumford will use Recovery Act JAG funds in the amount of $38,594 to support the Rumford Police Department's Drug Enforcement and Tactical Response Program which will couple equipment purchases and manpower needs to address drug trafficking occurring within the town and surrounding communities. Through the grant, surveillance and security cameras for the police department and district court will be purchased in order to assist in the security of the buildings. The cameras reduce liability for false claims of mistreatment, while providing evidence for court during the processing of prisoners. Patrol carbines, ballistic shields, Tasers, and lights for department issued duty weapons will also be purchased for officer safety and use during drug investigation cases. Funds will also be applied towards the salary of officers conducting investigations. Purchases will be made from local and New England based retailers in an effort to help small businesses remain productive. In addition, the equipment purchases will be made immediately upon approval of the grant, which will bring several thousands of dollars in needed revenue into the economy.

NCA/NCF