FY 2009 Recovery Act Rural Law Enforcement 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 city of Norwich will use the grant funds towards the salary and fringe benefits of a full-time plain-clothes detective tasked with intelligence-led policing initiatives aimed at combating narcotics and firearm related crimes. Because of the current fiscal situation faced by the city, plans are underway to furlough all city employees at least one hour per week, which equates to a 2.5 percent reduction of salary costs. The proposed position would not have been filled if not for the assistance of the Recovery Act grant. In addition to personnel costs, funds will also be directed towards an unmarked patrol car, a digital recording system, covert body wires, a GPS tracking device, and buy money for controlled narcotics purchases to help further undercover operations. It is anticipated equipment procured through the grant will be American-made and purchased from area vendors in an effort to aid the local economy.

CA/CF