Working Together for Safer Communities

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 disparate jurisdiction of the county of Blair and the city of Altoona will use the 2010 Justice Assistance Grant ($28,486) to boost their coordinated crime prevention and reduction strategies by using the funds to enhance the interoperable radio communications between the Altoona Police Department ($5,580) and the Blair County Sheriff's Department ($22,906). The sheriff's department will purchase four (4) portable radios and the police department will purchase seven (7) mobile radios. The city will serve as the applicant and fiscal agent. The decision by the county and the city to use the grant funds in this way reflects their commitment to ensuring the health, safety, and protection of the citizens by having well trained, equipped, and prepared law enforcement agencies. The Police Department will submit the required programmatic and fiscal reports to keep all interested parties apprised of the coordinated effort of moving forward toward the goal of preventing and reducing crime in Blair County.

NCA/NCF