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.

Dauphin County, the city of Harrisburg, the boroughs of Highspire, Middletown, Millersburg, Steelton, and the townships of Derry, Lower Paxton, Susquehanna, and Swatara will apply Recovery Act JAG funding towards multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing criminal justice services provided to the community. The city of Harrisburg, through its police department, will purchase an automated police record management system, an evidence and property management system, digital video/audio storage systems, and additional storage capacity. A part time grant manager position will also be funded. The townships of Susquehanna and Swatara police departments will purchase and install equipment needed for a regional central booking center. The township of Derry will use its share to purchase a forensic digital camera and accessories to support its police department's forensic services division. The borough of Highspire police department will purchase mobile in-car digital video recorders. The Lower Paxton police department will purchase a crime scene vehicle that will house crime scene processing gear, mobile lights, and other specialized equipment. A marked patrol vehicle, slings, cases, and magazines for firearms will also be purchased. The Steelton police department will purchase speed timing devices, flashlights, chargers, batteries, bulbs, shotguns, handguns, and firearms. The borough of Millersburg will fund overtime hours for police officers, Tasers, and digital cameras for investigations. Remaining funds will be used by Middletown to purchase cameras, intercom speakers, computers and software for its police department's communications center. Though eligible for a portion of funding, the county has waived its share. For administrative purposes, the county will serve as the fiscal agent for this award.

NCA/NCF