Recovery Act JAG 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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and the cities of Baton Rouge, Zachary, and Baker will share the Recovery Act JAG award. The city of Baton Rouge will use their funds ($946,118.50) to purchase a law enforcement equipped helicopter to provide rapid air response during emergency pursuit and rescue situations. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Gustav, Baton Rouge has experienced an upturn in population and traffic. This population increase has made ground navigation by law enforcement difficult when responding to criminal activities. The acquisition of this helicopter will increase the efficiency of law enforcement and foster a safer community for citizens. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, serving as the fiscal agent, will use their funds ($946,118.50) to purchase tasers, in-car video camera systems, firearms, marked patrol vehicles, and equipment for the EOD/Bomb squad. The city of Baker, through their police department, will use their funds ($28,049) to purchase a digital in-car video recording system. The city of Zachary, through their police department, will use their funds ($18,872) to purchase tasers.

NCA/NCF