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 of the county of Belknap and the municipalities of Alton, Belmont, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, and Tilton, the Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $217,578 will be shared, with the county of Belknap serving as the applicant and fiscal agent. The Alton Police Department will use their share to upgrade its mobile data terminals and the Belmont Police Department will hire a prosecutor to handle juvenile offenders. The Gilford Police Department will upgrade computers and purchase traffic enforcement, Tasers, and other tactical equipment. The Laconia Police Department will use the funds to purchase an interactive firearms training simulator, mobile data terminals, and send officers to community policing conferences. The Cumberland Police Department will upgrade its officers' service equipment. The Meredith Police Department will purchase computer, forensic, and tactical equipment, and the Tilton Police Department will upgrade its computer and tactical equipment. The decision by the municipalities to use the grant funds in this way reflects their commitment to ensuring the health, safety, and protection of its citizens by having well trained, equipped, and prepared law enforcement officers. The Belknap County Sheriff's Office will issue thorough, comprehensive written progress and fiscal reports on a quarterly schedule to keep all interested parties apprised of the efforts of moving forward toward the goal of reducing crime and violence in the county of Belknap.

NCA/NCF