Palmerton Borough and Mahoning Township Joint Recovery Act JAG Project

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 Carbon, borough of Palmerton, and the township of Mahoning will share $27,431in JAG recovery Act funds. Carbon County has declined their share of the Recovery Act JAG funds. The Palmerton Police Department (PPD) will serve as the fiscal agent. The (PPD) will purchase tasers, uniforms and upgrade computer equipment. The Mahoning Township Police Department will purchase portable radios, an evidence safe, and upgrade their phone system. The Recovery JAG funding will provide the tools and resources that will aid in crime prevention and generate an increase in officer morale that will result in increased officer productivity and performance.

NCA/NCF