Racine County Criminal Justice Project

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 Racine County, the city of Racine, and the villages of Caledonia and Mount Pleasant will use their Recovery Act JAG award to upgrade technology, law enforcement equipment, hire personnel, and fund overtime. The city of Racine, serving as the fiscal agent, will use their share of the grant to hire a contracted prosecutor for the Racine District Attorney's Office. This position works with the Racine County Gang Task Force to help combat drugs and crime. Racine County will use its share of the grant for Racine County Sheriff's Office overtime and to enhance the street patrol program. They will also purchase a patrol vehicle and equipment. The village of Mount Pleasant will use its share of the grant to purchase equipment for the Mount Pleasant Police Department to enhance the 911 System and Rapid Deployment Equipment Program. The village of Caledonia will use its share of the grant to enhance the Caledonia Police Department's 9ll System and to purchase emergency light bars for patrol cars.

NCA/NCF