Recovery Act 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.

Cherokee County will use Recovery Act JAG grant funds to provide police officers with equipment. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office will purchase in-car cameras to assist officers when conducting traffic stops, arriving on the scene of a crime, searching vehicles for contraband, apprehending a combative suspect, and arresting persons under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The use of these cameras will significantly assist in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenders. In order to further protect officers in the line of duty, the police department will purchase tasers. All equipment will be issued to officers once it is obtained and officers have received proper training. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office will develop a program to survey officers on how, if at all, the additional life saving equipment has helped retain them as employees. New applicants for employment will be surveyed on how the equipment utilized by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office influenced their decision to apply for a position.

NCA/NCF