FY 2009 Recovery Act 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.

Calhoun County and the cities of Anniston, Jacksonville, and Oxford will use the $443,403 in Recovery Act JAG funds to support separate initiatives aimed at enhancing the level of law enforcement services provided to the community. Specifically, grant funds will be used to purchase equipment that will improve abilities to collect and process crime scene evidence, maintain electronic data, and provide law enforcement officers modern and safe equipment such as Tasers, mobile computers, in-car camera systems, radar units, ballistic helmets and shields, night vision equipment, cameras for tactical operations, marked patrol vehicles, and portable breath testing devices. It is anticipated Recovery Act funded purchases will be made expeditiously upon receipt of funding and equipment will be purchased from American companies in an effort to stimulate the economy.

NCA/NCF