Law Enforcement Overtime and Equipment

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 jurisdictions consisting of Macon County and the city of Decatur will use the JAG award amount of $85,140 for law enforcement initiatives. The city of Decatur will serve as the fiscal agent and use their share ($63,855) to pay for police officer overtime to patrol areas of increased criminal activity and to purchase tasers, simunitions training cartridges, and voice alerting radio detection alarm units. Overtime patrols are expected to reduce crime, and tasers will enhance the safety of officers and citizens during arrests. The alarm units will be used to detect criminal activity and apprehend suspects, and the simunitions cartridges will be used during dynamic use-of-force training for officers. Macon County will use their share ($21,285) to pay overtime for deputies, corrections officers, and court security officers to increase security at the court and area events and during prisoner transports. Overtime for security will provide more time for other law enforcement personnel to engage in community policing initiatives.

NCA/NCF