North Coast Regional Task Force

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 1, Tillamook County, in conjunction with the North Coast Regional Task Force (NCRTF), will receive a $1,148,224 grant to increase illegal drug intelligence sharing, collaborate in investigations involving illegal drugs, and protect drug-endangered children. Tillamook County will use the funds to secure five positions on the North Coast Regional Task Force (NCRTF), three of which are scheduled for elimination. This award will permit continuing employment of three individuals directly involved with NCRTF, which will allow for virtually uninterrupted advancement in the goals of NCRTF and stabilize city and county budgets, thus contributing to the overall improvement of the local economic environment. Funds will also be used for monitoring, service, and wireless fees for three Global Positioning System tracking systems currently in use by three of the four program counties. Continuation of these services will ensure the successful collection of intelligence during investigations and provide for successful prosecutions.

CA/CF