Patrol and Special Response 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 Henry will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to support the Patrol and Special Response Equipment Enhancement Program. The program is designed to improve the well-being and safety of the citizens of Henry County. The grant funds will enable the Henry County Sheriff's Office to purchase the following equipment: a four-wheel drive utility vehicle to maneuver between traffic and even off-road (grassy/gravel areas) to respond to incidents; night vision equipment to respond to incidents in dark conditions; locking mechanisms for patrol rifles to secure weapons in patrol vehicles; tactical, civil disturbance, and marksman equipment to allow officers to deploy less-lethal technologies to respond to multiple situations at the same time; a 360-degree Wireless Surveillance System to allow officers to deploy a self-contained video surveillance unit (camera) into a building or room by throwing it into the selected area; light attachments and holsters for patrol to enable officers to carry and deploy a light attachment with them at all times; and Simunition Training Kits to enable officers to train realistically, in force-on-force scenarios.

NCA/NCF