Police Department Operational Enhancement Grant

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 Franklin will serve as the fiscal agent for the FY 2009 JAG award and will receive $11,983, and will provide an allocation of $23,966 to Lebanon and $10,676 to Mason. Warren County will not receive an allocation, according to the agreement reached by the jurisdictions. Funds will be used for law enforcement programs. The Franklin Police Department will update its technology by purchasing laser traffic speed measurement devices to increase the safety of residents and a truth verification tool to enhance criminal investigations. The Lebanon Police Department will purchase software to document and track all evidence placed in its property room to increase efficiency. The Mason Police Department will purchase patrol assault rifles to increase officer safety in high risk environments and an intercom system to improve court and prisoner security.

NCA/NCF