FY 2009 Recovery Act Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) solicits applications for initiatives which assist law enforcement in rural states and rural areas. The program helps rural states and rural areas to prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs.

The Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Program, administered by BJA, helps rural states and rural areas prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs. In addition, priority consideration will be given to local law enforcement agencies in rural areas where the unit of local government is not eligible to receive a direct allocation from the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program or received a direct allocation that was $50,000 or less. Applicants were invited to submit a proposal under any one of the following categories to: 1) combat rural crime; 2) improve rural law enforcement investigations; 3) enhance rural detention and jail operations; 4) facilitate rural justice information sharing; or 5) develop a national training and technical assistance program.

Under Category I, the state of Kansas will support the Kansas Highway Patrol's Thunder Road Domestic Highway Enforcement Team (DHET) in reducing the number of narcotics traffickers through the investigation, apprehension, and conviction of criminals. Kansas highways are routinely used by drug couriers, violent gangs, terrorists, illegal firearms traffickers, and others who pose a threat to public safety and security. In an effort to prevent and combat drug-related crime in the state and enhance traffic safety, the Highway Patrol will establish three DHETs. In addition, funds will enhance the state's drug detection canine program, as well as the detection of illegal contraband through intelligence gathering and information sharing. Through the course of the grant period, the salary of 20 full-time DHET members and the purchase of eight drug-detecting canines and specialized drug detection equipment will be supported.

CA/NCF