Law enforcement equipment, technology, police cruisers and related police equipment.

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.

Dakota County, serving as the fiscal agent for this award will share the Recovery Act JAG funds with nine disparate jurisdictions within Dakota County. Currently, all law enforcement agencies within Dakota County work jointly on many coordinated efforts including a countywide drug task force, the Mutual Aid Assistance Group (MAAG), Traffic Safety Project (DCTSP) and a special weapons team. They plan to purchase upgraded software for the Local Government Information System (LoGIS) records management system. This system is beneficial in assisting the Criminal Justice Integrated Information Network (CJIIN), which connects disparate information systems across governmental units and enhances safety for patrol officers. Additional law enforcement equipment, technology, and police cruisers will also be purchased. These funds will be essential in enhancing policing efforts.

NCA/NCF