Recovery Act Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant

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 Corpus Christi is disparate with Nueces County, Port Aransas City, and Robstown City. The city of Corpus Christi will serve as the fiscal agent to administer the JAG Recovery funds for all four jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction will utilize grant funds for law enforcement purposes. The Corpus Christi Police Department will use funds to procure communication and tactical devices (e.g., bar code system, upgrades to radio towers, interview recording equipment, body armor, etc.) and provide forensic services training on the following topics: fingerprint/trace evidence, courtroom testimony techniques, and digital crime scene photography. Nueces County will use funds to retain its drug abuse prosecutor, upgrade the county jail with an electronic touch screen control system (to replace the current system), and procure law enforcement equipment for its officers (e.g., body armor, tasers, radio systems, in-car video systems, etc.) The Port Aransas Police Department will procure tasers and related supplies to support officers in combating crime (e.g., tasers, cartridges, etc.) The Robstown Police Department will acquire digital in-car video equipment, digital video mirrors, and accompanying equipment software.

NCA/NCF