Law Enforcement Equipment Enhancement 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 county of Arlington will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to initiate its Law Enforcement Equipment Enhancement Program. The Arlington County Police Department will utilize JAG grant funds to purchase new gas masks to replace those currently coming to the end of the manufacturer's shelf life. Patrol rifles will be purchased in order to provide patrol officers with an effective option to use in a terrorist attack or when a situation requires the added range and stopping power of a rifle. Ballistic shields will be purchased to protect patrol officers when they encounter a high-risk incident such as a hostage barricade or an active shooter situation. A barcode system will be secured to allow the department to automate the evidence handling process to reduce human errors, create a solid audit trail, and save man-hours. It will also automate and facilitate the timely disposal of unnecessary items. Grant funds will also be used to provide training for officers that might not receive training due to budget constraints. The sheriff's department will purchase simunition equipment to train deputies to respond to threats directed at the courthouse and handle incidents in the jail. The Sheriff's Department will also purchase a vehicle weapons vault for the safe storage of weapons.

NCA/NCF