Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of the City of Gadsden, the City of Attalla, and Etowah County will use the Recovery Act JAG funds to purchase equipment and administer training. The Gadsden Police Department will use grant funds to continue training programs and to purchase equipment for the training facility. The City of Gadsden has made the decision to relocate the Gadsden Police Department's training facility due to industrial development issues. Concurrently, the Gadsden Police Department and the Etowah County Sheriff's Office (ECSO) have made a commitment to merge the training functions of the two agencies at the new location. The grant funds will be used to supplement local funds for Department and ECSO training. The remainder of the funds will be spent on equipment for the new training facility once construction is completed. The Attalla Police Department will use grant funds to purchase a fully equipped police cruiser, three radar units, and three alco sensors. The equipment will be issued to officers that serve in the department's community service program. The vehicle will be marked as a 'Community Service Officer' and will be purchased off the Alabama State Bid List. It will be fully equipped with all the required items including a video recorder. The other equipment to be purchased will be used by officers in the field.

NCA/NCF