FY 2010 Smart Policing Program

This program is funded under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The JAG Program (42 U.S.C. 3751(a)) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program authorization also states that "the Attorney General may reserve not more than 5 percent, to be granted to 1 or more States or units of local government, for 1 or more of the purposes specified in section 3751 of this title, pursuant to his determination that the same is necessary-(1) to combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime" (42 U.S.C. 3756).

The Smart Policing Initiative seeks to build upon the concepts of offender-based and place-based policing and broaden the knowledge of effective policing strategies. The most convincing research demonstrates that place-based or hotspot policing reduces violent crime and neighborhood disorder. This initiative addresses the need for effective policing that requires a tightly focused, collaborative approach that is measurable, based on sound, detailed analysis and includes policies and procedures for accountability. This grant program seeks to build upon data-driven, evidence-based policing by encouraging state and local law enforcement agencies to develop effective, economical, and innovative responses to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime within their jurisdictions.

The San Diego Police Department will use Smart Policing funds to support comprehensive strategies aimed at identifying gang, cartel, and terror leadership who solicit the help of convicted violent offenders and vulnerable adolescents. Program goals will be accomplished through targeted intelligence gathering, enforcement, broad community oversight, and correctional supervision through predictive analytics. Specific grant funded activities will involve the support of police and probation officer salaries and the salary of a crime analyst, as well as the purchase of audio/video equipment, cameras, and GPS units for investigations, and enhancements to the department's criminal intelligence database. The project will be measured by a team of intelligence analysts and the San Diego Association of Governments. Based on the study, the project can be calibrated for greater effectiveness or expanded for department-wide implementation.

CA/CF