Community Policing Initiative

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 town of Southbridge will use the FY 2010 JAG funds for a Community Policing Initiative. The funds will be used to support police officer overtime costs associated with targeted enforcement efforts. The Southbridge Police Department will increase foot, bicycle, and unmarked and marked patrols in areas affected by theft and burglary of homes, businesses, and vehicles. Additional patrols will also involve increased police presence in parks and recreation areas and radar patrols in high traffic areas of the community. This level of enforcement will allow the police department to reduce the fear of crime and take a proactive approach in high crime areas that affect the citizens perception and way of life in the scommunity. The Community Policing Initiative will provide the police department with the extra manpower to attack and solve the community problems, in turn reducing the fear of crime and stimulating rentals of property in the higher crime area neighborhoods. The visibility of the police in business and recreational areas will further stimulate the use of local businesses and parks.

NCA/NCF