Community/Public Relations Programs

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 City of Midland will use the Recovery Act JAG funds to support the Midland Police Department. The Midland Police Department will provide overtime for officer involvement in community and public relations events and other assignments. Due to current budgetary constraints, the department has not been able to respond to all requests from the community. The department plans to continue community relations programs, including youth safety talks, youth law enforcement academy, kids' day at the mall, child safety seat presentations, cub and girl scouts presentations, neighborhood watch programs, safe driving presentations, bicycle patrols, rail trail patrols, foot patrols, and other special events and public speaking engagements. The Midland Police Department receives over 300 requests per year for community relations activities. The Recovery Act JAG award will assist the Midland Police Department's ability to provide support to these activities.

NCA/NCF