FY 2009 Recovery Act JAG 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 town of East Windsor will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to pay overtime to an officer who will fill the previously eliminated Neighborhood Resource Officer position. The Neighborhood Resource Officer will work in the village of Broad Brook within the town of East Windsor. Broad Brook has experienced a growth in arrest rates and incident rates that were not present when the previous Neighborhood Resource Officer was working there. The assigned officer will respond to calls for service, conduct criminal investigations, and assist with town-wide emergencies when the need is critical. The officer will coordinate and encourage participation in neighborhood block watch programs, crime prevention initiatives, neighborhood groups, youth activities, sports, and will speak to special interest groups concerning various issues impacting Broad Brook and community policing. One goal will be to create a neighborhood resource group that will hold regular meetings and will encourage participation. On occasion, the officer will work with other officers, investigators, police departments, or agencies on criminal investigations, special enforcement activities, and matters of mutual responsibility. Through the officer's work, they will develop personal contact with Broad Brook residents and will be in a position to recommend resolutions, propose changes to the assignment, and implement programs that address crime problems by reducing crime and the fear of crime.

NCA/NCF