Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $703,200)
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 Putnam County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) will use its award to support the Deputies Need Assistance (DNA) Program, which will increase the number officers it employs. Because of budget cuts, PCSO has been forced to lay off several law enforcement officers. This reduction in manpower has forced PCSO to cut back on security at the Putnam County Courthouse and reduce the number of officers working with the Multi-Area Narcotics (MAN) unit. This has led to an increase in drug-related activity and crime in the county, and creates an unsafe situation for judges and other courthouse employees. PCSO will use grant funding to reinstate law enforcement officers who have been laid off because of budget cuts. Bringing these officers back to work will allow officers to return to work with the MAN unit and provide security to the county courthouse. It will also enhance the safety and security of Putnam County citizens.
CA/CF