Richland County Law Enforcement Initiatives Project

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.

Richland County will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to implement a program that will provide funds for the Richland County Sheriff's Department to supplement overtime and provide equipment items to enhance the ability of patrol and investigative personnel to detect and respond to criminal incidents. The project has an overall goal of reducing crime and delinquent behavior through an increased patrol and investigative presence. The funds will also be used to purchase a much-needed advanced piece of equipment to be assigned to the Crime Scene Investigative Division. This system will allow for advanced mapping of crime scenes and will lead to increased levels of successful case prosecution. Three trained police service dogs will be purchased and provided to the Richland County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit. Desktop computers will be provided to the six patrol regions and to various specialized divisions around the department, including the Traffic Unit, Fugitive Apprehension Team, and School Resource Officers. These computers will replace antiquated systems currently in use. Ballistic Vests will be provided to the Richland County Sheriff's Department Fugitive Apprehension Team, the Special Response Team, and the RCSD Bomb Squad. Grant funds will also be used to provide patrol deputies with air cards and service for 12 months. These cards will allow online access via the in-car mobile data terminals. The Richland County Sheriff's Department Special Response Team (SRT) will be provided with upgraded personal protective gear, including ballistic helmets and law enforcement accessories designed to enhance and improve scene response. These items include holsters, vehicle storage vaults, flashlights, and tactical ladders.

NCA/NCF