Recovery Act JAG 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 Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) will use the Recovery Act JAG funds to fill five new positions in the criminal justice community within Fayette County and to purchase equipment that will improve and enhance law enforcement and help prevent and reduce violent crime. The LFUCG plans to continue efforts to provide resources towards increasing the collaboration between law enforcement, prosecution, and corrections in Fayette County. Programs selected for funding will meet criteria from one of the seven JAG purpose areas. LFUCG will hire a special prosecutor, a gang coordinator dedicated to enhancing the adjudication process of cases involving gangs and violent offenders, and a sergeant position to serve as a extradition coordinator. The LFUCG will also hire a computer technician for the police department's Computer Information Systems Unit and a social worker for the Community Corrections Division. Both positions are civilian support personnel who will be assigned full-time to public safety positions. Grant funds will also be used to purchase public safety equipment to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in preventing and reducing violent crime.

NCA/NCF