Equipment Purchases and Education Programs

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 town of Sturbridge will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant award in the amount of $11,266 to purchase equipment and support education programs. The Sturbridge Police Department will use a majority of funds on the purchase of two trailers, one for housing and transporting search and rescue vehicles and a police motorcycle. This trailer can also be utilized as a command post in the event of a woodland search for missing persons. The trailer will be fit with lighting, cabinets, and drop down shelving, making the item more functional. The other trailer will be used to transport a Personal Water Craft (PWC). This PWC is used in enforcement of boating laws on Sturbridge's five lakes and is utilized in public education outreach. The Sturbridge Police Department will also purchase equipment and supplies for primary law enforcement programs. The equipment will include batteries for radios, flashlights, portable breathe test machines, defibrillators, and nitrile gloves for officers to wear to protect from infectious disease, chemical and bio hazards. The remaining funds will be used for providing community outreach classes such as emergency response training and a citizen police academy.

NCA/NCF