Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $284,488)
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 3, the Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians in East Central Mississippi will use its award in the amount of $284,488 to hire three full-time probation officers. The decision by the Miko and Tribal Council to use the grant funds in this way reflects a commitment to ensuring the health, safety and protection of tribal members by ensuring the continuity of their traditions and culture while maintaining their sovereignty and self-determination. The Choctow Tribal Court will issue thorough, comprehensive written progress and fiscal reports on a quarterly schedule to keep all interested parties apprised of the effort of moving forward toward the goal of preventing and reducing crime on the Choctaw tribal lands.
CA/CF