Stoneham Police Domestic Violence Initiative

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 town of Stoneham will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $17,883 to support the Stoneham Police Department Domestic Violence Initiative. Funds will be used for salaries, equipment, and training supplies. One part-time civilian domestic violence outreach coordinator will be hired to provide outreach to victims of domestic violence and serve as a resource tool for the community on domestic violence matters. A Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) system training program will be established and three officers will be sent to instructor training to become certified to teach the program. Upon completion of the required training, necessary R.A.D. training equipment will be purchased and officers will begin to host training for the community. The town of Stoneham believes these programs and trainings will greatly improve the effectiveness of the Stoneham Police Department as it relates to domestic violence and related crimes.

NCA/NCF