2009 Edward Byrne Memorial 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.

Plymouth County, through the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office, serving as the fiscal agent for this award will share the Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award with fourteen disparate jurisdictions within Plymouth County. Plymouth County will use $105,365 for grant related administrative activities. The town of Abington, Abington Police Department will use funds to partially fund upgrading their radio system. The Bridgewater Police Department will use funds for the multi-jurisdictional tactical response group training. The Brockton Police Department will use funds for six police officers' salaries and benefits for one year. The Carver Police Department will use funds for overtime associated with police investigations. The Middleborough Police Department will use funds for overtime associated with police investigations. The Hanson Police Department will use funds to upgrade the equipment used for the Special Operation, Investigative, and Prosecution Divisions. The Hingham Police Department will use funds to fund a community policing patrol program. The Hull Police Department will fund a community policing patrol program. The Kingston Police Department will use funds to purchase tasers, rifles, training, and equipment. The Marshfield Police Department will use funds to build a town-wide camera surveillance project. The Pembroke Police Department will use funds to assist in the upgrade, maintenance, and training to improve their records management system. The Plymouth Police Department will use funds to purchase one 2009 Ford E350 Prisoner Van. The Town of Rockland/Rockland Police Department will use funds to complete a CCTV video security system upgrade. The Wareham Police Department will use funds to enhance their community policing efforts.

NCA/NCF