Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $354,647)
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 of Garland County and the city of Hot Springs will use their Recovery Act JAG funds to support the City's Police and the County Sheriff's Departments with law enforcement equipment enhancements. The Hot Springs Police Department will use its share of the award ($290,823) to fund six programs. The goals of each program will be to utilize the Recovery JAG funding to incorporate law enforcement technology. The Specialized Training Program will utilize funding for expenses incurred for the training of a certified polygraph operator and an accident re-constructionist. Additionally, the Police Department will purchase various types of equipment including a digital audio surveillance system, covert/overt surveillance equipment, an evidence drying cabinet, a cyanoacrylate fuming chamber, a sound level meter, push-to-talk analog radios, crime scene related equipment, safety equipment for patrol cars, AWIN compatible mobile radios, and a simunition training system.
The Garland County Sheriff's Department will use its share of the award to purchase digital cameras and accessories, a voice-activated recording system, tactical vest carriers, DVD burner, two-way radios, AWIN compatible mobile radios, laptop printer, lapel microphones, tint meters, cyanoacrylate fuming chamber, and a Red-man instructor suit. The projects will increase officer safety and assist the officers in serving the general public more efficiently.
NCA/NCF