Recovery Act Overtime 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 Coachella, in conjunction with the Coachella Police Department, will use its award to implement a Problem-Oriented Policing special overtime program, purchase Segway Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Devices and a Automated License Plate Recognition System. With the creation of the special overtime programs and the additional supplies and equipment, the city's main objectives are to reduce crimes and enhance community safety. Specifically, the overtime programs will provide overtime hours for officers to focus on city parks and business districts in an effort to reduce robbery and theft related crimes and promote a community-oriented policing philosophy.

The city also intends to improve and facilitate criminal investigation and patrolling by purchasing Segway EPAMDs that will allow both the sworn and non-sworn officers to patrol more effectively in the communities using an alternative approach in servicing the needs of residents and visitors. Community-oriented policing will allow the city to enhance personal contact while adding the mobility factor to the equation.

In an effort to reduce and solve burglaries and thefts while operating efficiently and safely under cover of darkness, the city will use the Raytheon Thermal-Eye Imaging Camera, a hand-held device that enhances night vision and vision in dust or smoky conditions. The city will expand their vehicle tracking system by utilizing an Automated License Plate Recognition System (ALPR). The ALPR will allow for rapid scanning of vehicle plates and compare them to a list of vehicle of interest within several law enforcement databases. This would allow the city to provide a higher level of service and technology in the reduction of crime and community safety.

NCA/NCF