2009 JAG Stimulus Grant

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.

Acting as the fiscal agent, Gaston County will share the FY 2009 Recovery JAG funding with the cities of Gastonia, Mount Holly, Belmont, and Cherryville. The Gastonia Police Department will use its share of the award to purchase equipment for the 13 officers that were requested through COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP.) The equipment consists of an 800 MHz portable radio, a weapon with magazines, a magazine holder, body armor, baton, gun belt and holster, spray holder with spray, handcuffs and holder, uniforms, and TASER. The money will also be utilized to purchase 10 of the 13 needed vehicles. The Mount Holly Police Department will use its share of the award to purchase weapon repair supplies, five radar units to strengthen the department's critical incident capabilities, traffic speed monitoring and awareness radar trailer to enhance traffic safety, and one covert surveillance system to enhance crime-solving capabilities. The Belmont Police Department will use its share of the award to purchase less-than-lethal weaponry equipment, pursuit-ending equipment, Glock 27 handguns for patrol officers, Remington 870 shotguns for patrol officers, and new and replacement bulletproof vests for patrol officers. The Cherryville Police Department will use its share of the award to purchase one patrol vehicle to enhance policing capabilities. The Gaston Police Department will use its share of the award to purchase four patrol vehicles for four officers requested through the CHRP program.
The Gaston County Sheriff's Office will use its share of the award to fund overtime of personnel staff for emergency situations, purchase emergency equipment for law enforcement and jail staff, taser devices, to send deputies to specialized training to enhance functions and duties, and to purchase traffic vests, 800 MHZ radio equipment, patrol vehicle trunk organizers, metal detection equipment system, alcohol sensor devices, camera/video devices, and a bomb detection canine dog and training for handler.

NCA/NCF