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.

The cities of Troy, Rensselaer, East Greenbush, and North Greenbush in cooperation with Rensselaer County will use Recovery Act JAG funding in the amount of $248,717 to support multiple law enforcement initiatives aimed at combating crime within the community. Through the grant, the North Greenbush Police Department will purchase rifles and associated equipment, as well as train and certify its officers in the proper usage of firearms. The city of Rensselaer Police Department will purchase a police bike and gear for a bike patrol officer, Tasers, and patrol rifles. The city of Troy will apply funding towards overtime costs incurred by police officers conducting intensive patrols and operations in specific neighborhoods. The East Greenbush Police Department will use its funds to purchase a marked crime scene response unit vehicle that will transport forensic equipment needed during crime scene investigations. The County will use remaining funds to purchase an electronic fingerprinting and booking system, Tasers, and firearm equipment for its Emergency Services Unit. Due to budget constraints, and in order to keep staffing at its current level, the purchases would not have been made without the assistance of the Recovery Act. It is anticipated all proposed initiatives will be implemented immediately upon receipt of funding. For purposes of grant administration, the city of Troy will serve as the fiscal agent for this award.

NCA/NCF