FY 2009 Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant 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.

DeKalb County and the city of Auburn will apply Recovery Act JAG funding in the amount of $15,873 towards upgraded equipment for their emergency dispatch centers in an effort to improve emergency response for the entire community. Through the grant, the city will use its share to purchase two new dispatch consoles and two new chairs for the Auburn police dispatch center. The consoles are designed to incorporate existing emergency communications equipment while also allowing for future additions of upgraded monitors and computers. The chairs are ergonomically designed and will suit multiple users, leading to a more productive work environment. The county Sheriff's Office will use its funds to purchase chairs for its dispatch center. It is anticipated that the Recovery Act funded purchases will be completed within 180 days following the receipt of the award, and provide business to several vendors and the company hired for installation work. For purposes of grant administration, the city has been designated as the fiscal agent for this award.

NCA/NCF