FY 2009 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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of the cities of Scranton and Carbondale, South Abington Township, and Moosic Borough will share their Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $264,201 to fund personnel and purchase equipment and technology. The city of Scranton, acting as the fiscal agent, will use $208,027 for saturation patrols, officer overtime, supplies for crime prevention programs, tasers, in-car cameras, used vehicles, and training supplies. The Carbondale Police Department will use $14,643 to partially fund a part-time officer and to improve the security of the department's building. Specific improvements include the purchase of new security doors and a two-way mirror, as well as an intercom system for the interview room. The South Abington Township will use $15,885 to purchase in-car cameras and police radios. Moosic Borough will use $24,750 to purchase a Police Mobile Data System, as well as necessary computer software and hardware, radios and tasers.

NCA/NCF