Steamboat Springs Basic Law Enforcement Equipment/Supply Procurement 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 consisting of the city of Steamboat Springs and Routt County will use their Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $51,681 for purchasing supplies that the Steamboat Springs Police Department officers will need when deployed to document investigations and evidence, enhance communications, conduct interviews and interrogations, and ensure officer safety. Supplies will also be utilized during training exercises. The city of Steamboat Springs will serve as the fiscal agent and will utilize the full allocation amount of $51,681. These supplies will include patrol rifles and pistols, Tasers, ammunition, portable breath testers, microphones, and threat level vests for the Emergency Response Team. Supplies will be purchased from vendors in the western United States and will provide economic benefits for those distributors and manufacturers. By enabling the city to purchase these items from the JAG Program, the Steamboat Springs Police Department will be able to continue to fund police and community service officer positions.

NCA/NCF