FY 2009 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.

The disparate jurisdictions consisting of Durham County and the city of Durham will share their Recovery Act JAG funds in the amount of $794,143 to hire personnel and upgrade an emergency notification system. Both Durham County, who will serve as the fiscal agent, and the city of Durham, will use $676,143 to support the salary and fringe benefits of seven civilians and eight officers dedicated to the management and service of warrants in the Durham community. Funds will also be used to support data sharing to expedite the flow of communications through the use of Police 2 Police. The remaining $118,000 will be used to support the salary and fringe benefits for one full-time assistant district attorney position for the 14th Judicial District to prosecute domestic violence cases, as well as support the cost of the 911 Emergency Communication's CodeRed/Reverse 911 program. The CodeRed Emergency Notification System is a high volume speed communication service available for mass emergency notifications.

NCA/NCF