FY 2009 Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial 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 city of Dallas is disparate with 18 jurisdictions within Dallas County and will serve as the fiscal agent to administer this the Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG grant award. Each jurisdiction will utilize the FY 2009 JAG Recovery funds for a wide array of projects, all designed with the goals of enhancing law enforcement and prosecution throughout the county. The city of Dallas will retain a portion of funds for administrative costs. Funds will cover the salary and fringe for a grant coordinator, city auditor, and one part-time executive manager to oversee the JAG Recovery Program management for the City of Dallas and all 18 sub-recipients.

The city of Dallas Police Department proposes to use JAG Recovery funds in conjunction with the COPS Hiring Grant to fund the salaries of new officers, and equipment and vehicles needed for the new officers. JAG funds will also support the city's prisoner reentry project called "Project Reconnect" by supporting positions and general client support services (e.g., housing, employment, client development, etc.). Grant funds will also support the city's community courts project (community prosecution) by funding salaries, supplies, equipment, and communication services.

The 18 disaparate jurisdictions will utilize the JAG Recovery award for various law enforcement activities and equipment (e.g., salaries, computer hardware/software, live scan systems, patrol vehicles, fingerprint equipment, tactical equipment, in-car systems, record management system upgrades, firearms, etc.) and information technology/communication upgrades.

NCA/NCF