Police and Communities Together- PACT360

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America will use Recovery Act funds to create and implement the Police And Communities Together (PACT 360) program. PACT 360 is a law enforcement-led community prevention education system designed to deal with existing drug issues and rapidly respond to emerging drug threats. The goal is to help reduce illicit drug use and its accompanying criminal behavior thereby improving the functioning of the criminal justice system. PACT 360 will train law enforcement, prevention, and treatment professionals to educate community leaders, community members, parents and youth about a) existing and emerging drug threats; b) risk factors associated with substance abuse; and c) tools to use at the community, family, and individual levels thereby enabling communities to better protect their neighborhoods and families. The goals of PACT 360 is a lasting human infrastructure for prevention education in the community, poised for rapid response to future threats, and supported by the Partnership on an ongoing basis with a suite of online resources providing communities with all of the tools and resources needed, at no cost, to adopt and implement the program.

CA/NCF