Computer Networking and Data Sharing 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.

Chilton County will use the Recovery Act JAG funds to support the Chilton County Sheriff's Office with the Computer Networking and Data Sharing Program. The goal of this project is to improve and maintain quality law enforcement operations within the sheriff's office. To achieve this goal, the sheriff's office will use grant funds to implement a modern records management and data sharing program. This will include upgrading some of the existing computers in the sheriff's office as well as a purchase of 10 new desktop computers to allow networking within the office and with other agencies. It will also include equipping a minimum of 10 patrol vehicles with laptop computers and the necessary equipment to install the laptops and allow them mobile access to the system. This program will allow deputies in the field to receive critical dispatch information electronically as well as receive digital mapping data on the location of emergencies from the 911 center, which will increase response times and possibly save lives. This will also allow the deputies to create reports electronically and access local, state, and federal crime data bases from the field, which would enhance officer safety and increase productivity. Deputies will also have immediate access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC). Messages, bulletins, photographs, and alerts will also be transmitted electronically within the agency and to other agencies regarding crimes, wanted persons, missing persons/children, or officer safety issues. The program will be compatible with existing digital video cameras so that data can be transferred from these cameras to the new system.

NCA/NCF