Recovery Act JAG Multi-Jurisdictional Police 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 county of Butler, city of Butler, and the townships of Buffalo, Butler, and Cranberry are in a disparate arrangement and will share the Recovery Act JAG award. The Butler County Sheriff's Office will serve as the fiscal agent managing the Recovery Act JAG funds. The Butler County Sheriff will purchase tactical weapons for its sheriff deputies to enhance officer and citizen safety. The goal is to secure and install these weapons inside the patrol vehicles. The Butler Police Bureau will purchase a police vehicle, in-car video cameras, and other police equipment. The Butler Township Police Department will purchase new firearms for the officers to better protect the public and the police officers. The Cranberry Township Police department will purchase in-car video camera systems to decrease department liability and enhance the ability to prosecute cases.

NCA/NCF