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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of the city of Birmingham and 17 other entities will use the Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to increase officer safety and police operations. The city of Birmingham will function as the fiscal agent. The city of Adamsville will utilize funds for a Technology Improvement Program; the city of Bessemer will use funds for a Records System Enhancement Project; the city of Birmingham will use funds for a Law Enforcement and Technology Improvement Program; the city of Brighton will use funds for a Law Enforcement and Technology Improvement Program; the city of Fairfield will use funds for a Vehicle Enhancement Program to purchase additional police vehicles in an effort to increase police visibility and patrols. The city of Fultondale will use funds for a Non-Lethal Options Program to equip and train each officer within the patrol division to safely and effectively use Tasers. The city of Gardendale will use funds for a Law Enforcement Program and will purchase tactical vests, ballistic face shields, K-9 vest, and shotgun lights. The city of Homewood will use funds for a Technology Improvement Program; the city of Hoover will use funds for a Technology Upgrade and Warrant Screening Interface; the city of Hueytown will use funds for a Technology Improvement Program; and the city of Irondale will use funds for a IP Surveillance Program and will purchase and install equipment that will improve basic police operations and investigative work. The city of Leeds will use funds for a Data Technology Upgrade Program; the city of Midfield will use funds for a Technology Improvement Program; the city of Pleasant Grove will use funds for a Technology Project; the city of Tarrant Police Department will utilize the funds to purchase two fully-equipped Dodge Charger police cruisers. The city of Trussville will use funds for a Citizens Interaction and Documentation Initiative; the city of Vestavia Hills will use funds for a Criminal Identification and Apprehension Project; and the Jefferson County will use the funds for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Comprehensive Justice Technology Project.

NCA/NCF