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.

The city of Richmond will use Recovery Act JAG funds to support multiple criminal justice initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety, law enforcement operations, and prosecution. Through the grant, the city police department will support youth prevention programs, officer overtime, Tasers, and computer equipment. The Commonwealth Attorney's Office will utilize funding to train and educate a team of prosecutors with an emphasis in juvenile justice, guns, gangs, drug prosecution, and white collar and domestic violence crimes. The Sheriff's Office will use funds to purchase equipment needed to ensure the safety and security of the courts. The adult drug treatment court will apply funds towards enhanced therapeutic services, intensive case management, and frequent urinalysis of offenders. Richmond Fire and Emergency Services will use grant funds to purchase surveillance equipment in an effort to enhance its arson prevention program. The juvenile drug treatment court will use funds to facilitate access to a continuum of person-centered, therapeutic services and specialized court interventions for non-violent substance abusing juveniles and their families. The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Police Department will apply remaining funds towards community policing efforts.

NCA/NCF