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.

Chautauqua County and the cities of Jamestown and Dunkirk will use their Fiscal Year Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $159,216 to enhance their abilities to provide essential police services and officer safety through the purchase of new and upgraded equipment for their respective law enforcement departments. Specifically, the Jamestown Police Department and the Dunkirk Police Department will apply their share towards the purchase of new police cruisers that will replace older, high-mileage patrol vehicles that have been used on a continuous basis for several years. The new vehicles will allow the agencies to reduce its maintenance costs that are being accrued. The Dunkirk Police Department will also use funds to purchase Tasers, surveillance binoculars, and flashlights for its Patrol Division. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office will apply its portion towards new bullet proof vests for their deputies. The new vests will provide appropriate levels of protection required for law enforcement activities. Currently, each agency does not have the financial ability to support the replacement of these essential pieces of equipment. All Recovery Act funded equipment will be purchased from an American company to help promote economic recovery, and to assist those impacted by the recession.

NCA/NCF