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 city of Kenner and the Kenner Police Department (KPD) will use their Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to purchase a records management system, video surveillance system, and voice stress analysis system. The records management system will allow KPD personnel to maintain and access all criminal and reporting information more swiftly. KPD officers will be able to instantly conduct records checks and analyze data more efficiently and effectively while on patrol. The video surveillance cameras will be used in the Kenner jails to enhance security for the department's personnel, inmates, and visitors. The voice analysis stress system will be used by the KPD's Criminal Investigation Division for suspect and witness interviews. The equipment is valuable in assisting detectives with measuring suspect and witness truth and deception. Information that is gathered from this equipment will help to bring swift resolution to criminal investigations, preparing them for prosecutorial review. Utilizing program funds in this way will allow the KPD to create three police officer positions and will stimulate the city of Kenner's economy by enhancing police services.

NCA/NCF