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.

Broome County, and the cities of Binghamton, Endicott Village, and Johnson City will use Recovery Act JAG funds in the amount of $203,966 to support separate law enforcement initiatives aimed at reducing crime within their communities. The city of Binghamton will apply its share of $110,397 to purchase new body armor for Binghamton Police Department officers. The initiative will replace out-dated vests, and ensure officers are outfitted with body armor that meets current standards. Funds will also be used to purchase two marked patrol vehicles and to support overtime for targeted initiatives based upon crime analysis. Endicott Village will apply its share of funding ($25,519) to replace an unmarked vehicle used by the Police Department's Detective Division. Funds will also be used for patrol rifles, a gas gun and shot gun for the Special Response Team, training equipment, and a hostage throw phone and start up system that will allow officers to communicate and record conversations during hostage situations. The Johnson City Police Department will use its share of $37,908 to purchase wireless equipment for patrol vehicles. Maintenance fees and wireless airtime will also be supported. The new equipment will provide more rapid and efficient communications between dispatchers and officers in the field. Broome County will use funds ($30,142) to purchase vests for the County Security Division and magnetometers to be used at county facilities to ensure the safety of security officers and the public. The Sheriff's Office will apply remaining funds towards the purchase of paramedic kits for the S.W.A.T. team and in-car video cameras for patrol vehicles. The units will aid in the prosecution of cases that occur in the view of the patrol mounted cameras. For purposes of grant administration, the city of Binghamton has been designated as the fiscal agent for this award.

NCA/NCF