FY 2009 Recovery Act JAG 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 county of Barrow, through the Barrow County Sheriff's Office, will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to support the Barrow County Sheriff's Office Enhancing Officer and Citizen Safety Program. Grant funds will be used to enhance officer safety by allocating funds for the purchase of equipment and by funding a training course. The funds will be used to purchase ABA-Xtreme® HP Level II vests, Pro-tech PT300 Titan Assault vests, cameras, integrated technology systems , a camera storage server, Digital Ally DVM500+ in-car video system, dual antenna, and other equipment. In addition, grant funds will be used to fund a Mirror Image Training Course. The program will be expanded as the workforce grows. This program, designed to enhance the safety of citizens of Barrow County, will also greatly enhance the safety of the Deputy Sheriff's who protect and serve those citizens. With the purchase of this equipment the Barrow County Sheriff's Office will be able to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Barrow County.

NCA/NCF