Operation Information Overload

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 4, St. Clair County will use the grant funds to partner with sheriff's offices in Vernon County, Bates County, and Dade County to develop a Regional Record Management System (RRMS) that will allow these agencies to have access to criminal justice information in a standardized, efficient, and uniform system. The RRMS will make information available throughout the region in one common system, permitting officers and investigators to have regional information available in an easily searchable and reliable system. This system will also allow for information to be obtained in a timely and efficient manner, enhancing investigative resources and information, and aiding in the identification and disruption of multi-jurisdictional offenders and criminal organizations. It will also allow for the analysis of information to efficiently and effectively identify and develop strategies for new or emerging crime trends, as well as the furtherance of intelligence-driven investigations. Funds will purchase GPS for faster response times to potential crimes, crime scenes, and officer locations. It will also assist in improving and enhancing the sharing of criminal justice information across rural law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice components. Grant funds will also support one full time Computer Systems Administrator/Analyst, who will be responsible for system development, implementation, deployment, maintenance, and the administration of the system.

CA/CF