Rural Economic Stability Unit

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 Logan County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) will use its award to continue to combat crime in Logan County and to increase information sharing capabilities. LCSO has suffered from budget constraints, and several officers have been laid off or reassigned to nonpatrol functions in the office. LCSO has also seen an increase in service calls, which are now being handled by a fewer number of officers. Grant funds will be used to reinstate two officers who have been laid off or reassigned to nonpatrol functions. Reinstating these officers will allow the office more manpower to combat crime. Additional grant funds will be used to increase collaboration and information sharing with other law enforcement agencies.

CA/CF