Patrol and Public Safety Resources for Enhanced Services 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 Manassas Park Police Department will use Recovery Act JAG funds to purchase much needed law enforcement equipment. Specific purchases include traffic vests, patrol-ready bicycles, bike officer uniforms, ballistic shields, and handguns. These purchases will replace their aging bicycle fleet and allow for this patrol function to be available for special events, proactive patrol, and silent augmentation to traditional patrol services. In additiona, funds will be used for the outfitting of a van. The van will serve as the primary vehicle for crime scenes which require extensive processing, a humble command vehicle for critical incidents, and special events. This will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of critical services delivered to the community.

NCA/NCF