FY 2009 Recovery Act JAG

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 disparate jurisdictions of Fulton County and the cities of Alpharetta, Atlanta, Hapeville, College Park, East Point, Fairburn, Roswell, and Union City will use the Recovery Act JAG funds to support the City of Atlanta, the fiscal agent, with efforts to reduce criminal activity and increase safety. Fulton County will use grant funds for the Superior Court Backlog Program, designed to alleviate overcrowding at the Fulton County jail. It will also provide jobs for 18 people. Funds will be used to enhance the Fulton County Police Department's information systems and networking capabilities. The city of Alpharetta will use funds for a program to improve safety for citizens, officers, and suspects through the purchase 60 X-26 Taser Electronic Control Devices. The City of Atlanta will use funds for a program to increase police presence and create jobs by funding 46 frozen sworn-officer positions. Additionally Atlanta will employ a project manager. The city of College Park will fund a program to increase criminal deterrence and increase evidence and data collection through the purchase and deployment of 8 video surveillance cameras. Also, funds will be used for a program to increase investigatory capabilities through the on-line investigation system. The city of East Point will purchase equipment for the East Point Police Department, the East Point Municipal Court and support a 'Safe-Summer' Initiative program as part of East Point's ongoing Community Oriented Policing efforts. The City of Fairburn will purchase 23 Taser devices. The city of Hapeville will use funds to purchase 'E-Crash' software to enhance Hapeville's CAD/Records Management system. The City of Roswell will use funds for a police officer interoperability upgrade through the purchase and installation of digital communications modules. Finally, Union City will purchase 3 patrol cars.

NCA/NCF