Justice Equipment Acquisition and Safe & Secure Communities Project

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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of Sedgwick County, city of Wichita, city of Derby, Park City, and the city of Haysville will use Recovery Act JAG funds for law enforcement purposes. Sedgwick County will serve as the fiscal agent. Funds will be used for personnel, equipment, supplies, and technology to fulfill many unmet needs identified by the local jurisdictions. The goals and strategies for this project include the addition of a Community Corrections residential staff person for one year, replacement of outdated equipment including a courthouse security X-ray machine, portable radios, patrol rifles, radar units, tasers, SWAT vests, and mission critical printers and copiers for the District Attorney's Office. New or upgraded equipment items include security cameras for courthouse security, digital x-ray and UV cameras for forensic lab use, led light bars for patrol cars, and a Spider console for support staff will also be purchased.

NCA/NCF