TAT Law Enforcement Rural Crimes Initiative

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, the Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT) of Fort Berthold will use its award in conjunction with the TAT Law Enforcement Department to combat increasing rural crime. The area serviced by the TAT Law Enforcement Department has seen an increase in the number of violent crimes requiring an investigation. The current investigator is unable to keep up with the number of cases that require investigations. The TAT Law Enforcement Department will use funding to hire additional investigators to assist with the large number of cases needing investigation, as well as hire additional confidential informants who will assist with investigations and information gathering. These additional personnel will allow the TAT to increase public safety and security.

CA/CF