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 city of Cordele and Crisp County will use Recovery Act JAG funding in the amount of $48,855 to support separate law enforcement initiatives. The city, through the police department, will use its share to purchase lasers for traffic enforcement, digital cameras and infrared lenses for investigations, and computer equipment and firearms for its officers. The county Sheriff's Office will use its share to purchase digital cameras and audio recording equipment for investigations and Tasers, computers and firearms for its deputies. Funds will be divided evenly between the two jurisdictions. The Recovery Act funded equipment would not have been available without the assistance of the grant. It is anticipated that all funds will be expended expeditiously by July 2010. For purposes of grant administration, the city will serve as the fiscal agent for this award.

NCA/NCF