FY 2009 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 Harrison County and the cities of Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach, and Pass Christian will use their Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to support the needs of the local law enforcement agencies in the areas of personnel, equipment, supplies and information systems to assist in the prevention and control of crime and to improve the criminal justice system. The city of Gulfport, serving as the fiscal agent, will use its share of the funds to save police positions that may potentially be reduced and to increase overtime for specialized patrol details, drug enforcement, and other duties performed by sworn officers as needed. The city of Biloxi will use its funds to purchase essential equipment and supplies. Long Beach will use its portion of grant funds to purchase tasers and supplies. Pass Christian will use its Recovery JAG funds to purchase portable radios to enhance their police department's capability to communicate with other local and state agencies. Harrison County will use its funds to purchase essential technology equipment.

NCA/NCF