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 Evansville and Vanderburgh County will utilize Recovery Act JAG funds in the amount of $436,143 to support separate law enforcement initiatives. The city, through the Evansville Police Department, will use its share of $388,019 to purchase six patrol vehicles and necessary equipment to be used by newly hired officers. In addition, funds will be applied towards an outdoor firearms training facility to be used by local, state, and federal agencies for training and testing purposes.

Vanderburgh County will receive $48,124, and will use the funds to purchase and install in-car video cameras. The cameras will assist the Sheriff's Office in collecting information for the prosecution of criminal cases, as well as assist in officer safety. The city of Evansville Police Department has been designated as the fiscal agent for this award, and will be responsible for grant administration.

NCA/NCF