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.

Niagara County and the cities of Niagara Falls, Lockport, and North Tonawanda will apply Recovery Act JAG funds in the amount of $457,674 towards law enforcement initiatives that will enhance each jurisdiction's crime fighting efforts. The city of Niagara Falls Police Department will use its share to purchase a mobile command vehicle that will be equipped with the latest communications equipment that may be used in hostage situations, homicide investigations, and public events with a large attendance. The new command center will also enable the department to meet current interoperable communication standards, enabling officers to communicate with agencies from surrounding areas. Funds will also be used to purchase surveillance cameras, computer equipment, and duty pistols and holsters. The county, through the Sheriff's Office, will use its funds to purchase a special-purpose vehicle for the transport of equipment and trained personnel for response to crimes scenes. The new vehicle will be equipped with the necessary tool kits for latent fingerprint processing, DNA processing, and evidence packaging and transport. The city of Lockport will use its Recovery Act funds to purchase an unmarked sport utility vehicle for the Police Department's Detective Division and a police boat for patrol of the Erie Barge Canal. Remaining funds will be used to purchase wireless cameras for the city-wide surveillance system. The city of North Tonawanda will purchase laptops for officers to use while in the field, along with associated software. It is anticipated all grant funded purchases will be completed within 18 months following the receipt of the award. The city of Niagara Falls will serve as the fiscal agent.

NCA/NCF