Technological Equipment Acquisition & Upgrades

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.

Benton Charter Township will use funds for communication, traffic enforcement, evidence collection and preservation, intelligence/public security, and medical intervention equipment. The State of Michigan has implemented a statewide interoperability program using 800 MHz frequency, and the Benton Charter Township Police Department does not have the equipment to use this frequency as the primary means of communication. Funds will be used for 800 MHz radios to comply with state communication requirements. The department plans to equip its entire patrol fleet with dual radar units and interfaces for traffic enforcement and purchase an additional in-car video system and a portable surveillance system. The surveillance system will be used for stakeouts and monitoring large public areas or events and known gang/drug locations. The in-car video system and the surveillance cameras have the ability to record all activities for evidentiary related purposes and crime prevention and enforcement planning. The department will also purchase automated external defibrillators to enable officers to respond to medical emergencies.

NCA/NCF