Video Surveillance Equipment and Officer Training 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 City of Raymondville and Willacy County are listed as disparate jurisdictions on the FY 2009 Recovery Act JAG Local Allocation Chart. The city will serve as the fiscal agent to administer the funds for both entities. Each jurisdiction will utilize its portion of JAG Recovery funds for law enforcement programs.

The city of Raymondville Police Department will purchase and install a 24/7 video surveillance system using a wireless network within the city. Over 20 cameras will be installed at different locations and the data will be transmitted to a server that will be housed at the police department. Video survillance is a tool that law enforcement can use for citizen safety, including the increased need for security at critical infrastructures within the city.

The Willacy County Sheriff's Office will utilize its portion of funds to train its officers on report writing, investigation techniques, and response techniques to field calls. Each officer is required to have 20 hours per year of training as required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. Funds will be utilized to pay certified instructors to teach officers on-site.

NCA/NCF