FY 2009 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.

The city of Austin, Travis County, and the city of Pflugerville are listed as disparate jurisdictions under the Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG Program. The city of Austin will serve as the fiscal agent to administer the JAG Recovery award for all three jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction will use JAG Recovery funds to purchase various law enforcement equipment to be utilized for officer protection, information sharing, and enhanced communication.

The city of Austin Police Department will utilize its portion of JAG Recovery funds to purchase supplies and equipment for officers to be hired under the COPS Recovery Hiring Program. Items purchased will include vehicles, uniforms, and protective gear.

The city of Pflugerville Police Department will purchase a DVM Server which is a storage and distribution system that will allow digital in-car camera data storage for up to 50 patrol vehicles. This system will allow the department to begin transitioning from VHS format to digital. The advantages of digital format are improved video and audio quality of recorded evidence, automated data download, security, minimal storage space, and increased search capabilities.

The Travis County Sheriff's Office will utilize its allocation to equip its first responders with crosstech (protection) jackets, expand the department's e-citation project by including hand-held units to be used by patrol officers, supply SWAT officers with mobile data computers, and purchase Tasers for line officers and hand-held radios for patrol deputies.

NCA/NCF