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 Alice will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $73,859 to implement the program 'Operation Shut Down', which consists of four projects. The city will purchase equipment, update/upgrade their systems, and improve their technology.

Project 1 will use grant funds to purchase security cameras to provide monitoring of the Alice Police Department's evidence container area in an effort to reduce theft, burglaries, and arsons that have occurred in the area. This area is also used to store confiscated vehicles as a result of drug interdiction programs.

Project 2 will use grant funds to purchase GPS units for the police department's patrol units in order to improve efficiency and first responder capabilities. GPS units will provide monitoring of patrol unit locations and times and will facilitate overall department management of patrol units in high-crime areas and improve police officer safety.

Project 3 will use grant funds to upgrade existing fingerprint equipment in order to improve investigative tools for identification of fugitives and wanted individuals. The upgraded unit will allow for palm printing, in addition to traditional fingerprinting, and it meets requirements to connect to the State's identification database for palm identification.

Project 4 will use grant funds for overtime for special operations, including gang, graffiti, and narcotic operations.

NCA/NCF