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.

Monroe County and the cities of Rochester, Brighton, Gates, Greece, Irondequoit, and Webster will use the Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $1,573,108 to enhance law enforcement operations and technology, support community policing, and prevent crime in their communities. Through the grant, the city of Rochester Police Department will purchase equipment aimed at detecting gun shots within a given area of the city and surveillance cameras. The department will also upgrade its computer equipment used for community policing details. Equipment for the Traffic Division, which includes digital cameras to be placed in patrol cars and radar speed displays for motorists, will also be purchased. Remaining funds will be used to establish a youth Explorer Program and hire a part-time outreach specialist who will work with the community to identify and facilitate a response to concerns about safety. Monroe County will use its share to support probation officer overtime incurred during participation in the county's school dismissal program. County probation officers, along with Rochester police officers and Rochester City School District staff, will patrol various high schools and the downtown area at school dismissal times. The Brighton Police Department will use funds to purchase Tasers and equipment that will enable communication with the deaf community. The Gates Police Department will use funds for officer overtime, ballistic shields and helmets, a portable video surveillance system, and a backup server for the department's record system. The Greece Police Department will purchase a police vehicle, GPS units for undercover officers, and portable alarm systems. Irondequoit police will use its share to purchase Tasers and equipment that will enable officers to respond more efficiently to situations involving gun fire. Remaining funds will be used by the Webster Police Department to purchase general law enforcement equipment for its officers that includes flashlights and holsters. For purposes of grant administration, the city of Rochester has been designated as the fiscal agent for this award and in this capacity will be using a portion of funding to support grant management costs.

NCA/NCF