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 city of Miami will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award to hire additional civilian staff and purchase computer laptops to ensure that sworn law enforcement officers are more available on the street in an effort to reduce and prevent crime. The job creation and equipment purchases will assist in providing more officer accessibility and protection to their most vulnerable communities and populations. Grant funds will be used for administrative purposes. The Miami Police Department will continue its coordination efforts between the citizens of Miami, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Department of Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the State Attorney's Office, city of Miami Mayor's Office, Miami-Dade Mayor's Office, Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, city of Miami Homeless Assistance Program, and the city of Miami Neighborhood Enhancement Office.

NCA/NCF