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.

Somerset County, the boroughs of Bound Brook, North Plainfield, Somerville, and the townships of Bridgewater, Franklin, and Hillsborough will use Recovery Act JAG funding to support multiple criminal justice initiatives. Specifically, the borough of Bound Brook will use its share to support the overtime costs for two police officers. The borough of North Plainfield will use funds to purchase an unmarked police cruiser and two video surveillance systems. The borough of Somerville will purchase and install three digital video recording systems in police department patrol vehicles. The township of Bridgewater will use its funds to purchase and install a satellite receiver and a software management system for its police department. The software will allow the department to be fully compliant with national standards. The township of Franklin will purchase and outfit a marked police cruiser. Remaining funds will be used by the township of Hillsborough to support officer overtime for a bike patrol program. Though eligible for funding, the county has waived its portion. The county will also serve as the fiscal agent, responsible for administration of the award.

NCA/NCF