Technology Upgrades JAG 2009

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 city of Americus and Sumter County, as disparate jurisdictions, will share this Recovery Act JAG award. The city of Americus, serving as the fiscal agent, will use their share of the award ($25,477.50) to purchase a Live Scan fingerprint system and portable radios for the city police department. The Live Scan system will decrease the time it takes for subject identifications and verifications, providing additional information in just minutes on outstanding warrants or past records. The portable radios will provide better communication between police officers in the field and the dispatchers. Sumter County will use their share of the award ($25,477.50) to purchase portable radios and tasers for county law enforcement. The ultimate goal is to improve the safety of the officers and citizens.

NCA/NCF