FY 2010 Justice Assistance Grant Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety will use FY 2010 JAG funds to address gaps in services within state and local law enforcement jurisdictions, as well as to address criminal justice records improvement, court system efficiency, substance abuse treatment, and crime prevention. South Carolina proposes to improve the functionality of the state's criminal justice system through: drug and violent crime enforcement to include multi-jurisdictional task forces, methamphetamine enforcement, school resource officers, crime scene/forensic investigators; gang crime reduction programs that target firearm violence and gang activity through enhanced investigative resources; the reduction of sexual and domestic violence offenses through prevention, enforcement, apprehension or adjudication; the enhancement of state and local forensic laboratories to include regional drug analysis laboratories and crime lab backlog reduction programs; law enforcement communications programs which include communication equipment such as 800 MHz radios (mobile and portable), laptops, mobile data terminals, and wireless connections; and resources for local and state law enforcement agencies, providing updated equipment to increase their effectiveness and enhance officer safety. Subawards will fund personnel costs, equipment, training, technical assistance, and criminal justice information systems aimed at increasing widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention and rehabilitation of persons who violate the law. In addition, funds are available for projects that facilitate the implementation of innovative initiatives aimed at crime and drug control. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety will also retain ten-percent of the award for administrative purposes.

NCA/NCF