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 Mechanicville will apply its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $20,526 towards essential law enforcement equipment in an effort to increase successful prosecutions, provide in-service training, and improve communications within the police department. Specifically, in-car video cameras to be housed in patrol vehicles will be purchased. Footage captured will be used as evidence and also for officer training. Remaining funds will be used to purchase portable interoperable radios that will enable officers to communicate with dispatchers and surrounding first responder agencies. The purchases made through the Recovery Act will help stabilize the department's budget, thereby minimizing reductions in services. It is anticipated all equipment will be purchased from an American vendor in an effort to help stimulate the economy.

NCA/NCF