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.

Ada County and the cities of Boise, Meridian, and Garden will use their Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $1,290,539 to incorporate technology into their community policing efforts and to implement a Leadership in Police Organization Training program. Ada County, serving as the fiscal agent, will use their portion of the grant to supply the Sheriff's Office with digital imaging systems, biometric scanners, and wireless alarm systems to use in victims of violent crimes cases. The city of Boise will use their portion to purchase law enforcement equipment including weapons and ammunition, a thermal imager for search operations, tactical blankets for bullet-resistant Kevlar protection, ballistic helmets, less-lethal multi-round launchers, GPS trackers, transcription systems, forensic video, image and audio systems, radar trailers, handheld radar patrols, an Impulse 200 LR Laser Rangefinder to reconstruct crime scenes and traffic accidents, upgrades to the Logos Digital Imaging Systems for x-ray machines for the bomb squad, a ramped trailer to transport a bomb robot, metal Konex boxes to store firing range equipment, fitness equipment, motor unit parking cover to protect motorcycle electrical systems, an Opticon reader for facility security, and audio equipment. The Boise Police Department will also use grant funds to upgrade their records management system, to purchase wireless alarm systems for victims, and to create an internal leadership program. The city of Garden will use their share to purchase law enforcement equipment including GPS tracking devices, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone kits, forensic evidence drying cabinets, 40mm multi-launcher as an alternative to deadly force. The Garden Police Department will also use grant funds to upgrade their records management system and to purchase wireless alarm systems to be used at crime scenes. The city of Meridian will use its share to upgrade the Meridian Police Department's records management system and to allow the police department to purchase wireless alarm systems to be used at crime scenes.

NCA/NCF