FY 2009 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.

Scott County, through the Scott County Sheriff's Office, will use their Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $23,591 to purchase much needed law enforcement equipment and help keep the public safe by providing overtime for its officers. With the help of these overtime funds, the Scott County Sheriff's Office will be able to have more officers on the road for extended periods. Not only will this grant assist the sheriff's office, it will help all law enforcement in Scott County, Virginia. The equipment purchased with the grant funds will be used supply each officer with the necessary equipment to perform their duties. Because of budget constraints all officers are not equipped with the same equipment. In-car cameras in every vehicle will prevent false claims about the officers. It will also help protect the rights of citizens as well as police officers. Specifically, the sheriff's office will purchase 7 tasers, 14 spike strips, 14 in-car cameras, and one camera system for the office.

NCA/NCF