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The city of Gunnison and Gunnison County will use the Recovery Act JAG funds to upgrade outdated equipment to sufficiently provide the required services needed to support a growing demographic area. As a result, a new patrol deputy position with the Sheriff's Office has been created and filled. With new deputies, comes the need to purchase the equipment that such officers will need to perform basic duties in an effective manner. Current deputies work with outdated equipment that becomes harder and harder to work with as newer technology replaces the outdated. Equipment plays a key role in any law enforcement environment and ultimately helps personnel to efficiently prevent and control crime. Currently, the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office has acquired new patrol vehicles. Each patrol vehicle is expected to be equipped with an in-car video system to improve evidence collection. As such, the county will purchase two Martel MDE2 digital video systems with updated software, eight pocket cams equipped with video and audio capabilities which will be provided to those in the department to wear while conducting on scene investigations.

NCA/NCF