Neighborhood Stabilization and Crime Prevention

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 Meriden, along with the Meriden Police Department (MPD), will utilize Recovery Act funds to support a neighborhood stabilization and crime prevention project. The project will include three major components focusing primarily on crime prevention and control that will lead to stabilization in 'at-risk' inner-city neighborhoods. Community neighborhoods that are safe and stable provide an environment that will encourage economic growth and recovery. Funds will provide overtime for operational activities where crime prevention and gang/drug suppression have been successful. The MPD will also fund a Citizens Police Academy and gang prevention and education for parents. The MPD will utilize educational programs in conjunction with policing strategies by emphasizing community involvement in preventing and controlling criminal activity. Finally, the grantee will purchase crime prevention equipment. The equipment will include Cry Wolf Alarm Bulling Software, two Crime Eye Surveillance Camera Systems, 15 tasers, 12 Level IV SWAT Body Armor, and 10 Level IV Plate carrier and ¾ Level IV plates.

NCA/NCF