Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $162,374)
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.
Pinal County will use its Recovery Act JAG award to improve public safety through increased traffic enforcement and to maintain criminal prosecution and community-based probation supervision. The Pinal County Sheriff's Office will receive funds to purchase advanced traffic enforcement equipment, including laser radar speed detectors, portable breath testing kits, and stop sticks. Enhancing traffic enforcement is a necessity for Pinal County due to the 60 percent increase in vehicle-related accidents between 2004 and 2008 and the frequency of vehicle pursuits in the county, such as those that are related to the transport of illegal substances. Pinal County Attorney's Office will receive partial funding for an experienced prosecutor, who would otherwise have been laid off due to the end of another funding source. The Pinal County Adult Probation Department will receive grant funds to purchase equipment for probation officer trainings and certifications. Trainings will include sessions on officer safety for new officers, defensive tactics, and firearms.
NCA/NCF