BJA FY 10 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant

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 North Dakota Office of Attorney General, serving as the State Administering Agency, will use the Fiscal Year 2010 JAG award to implement objectives outlined in their state's Drug Control and Violent Crime Strategy (DCVCS), which provides a comprehensive, systematic approach to eradicating drug abuse and trafficking, and significantly decreasing violent crime in the state. The North Dakota Drug Control and Violent Crime Strategy identified narcotics enforcement, through the utilization of multi-jurisdictional narcotics task forces, as the primary focus for the use of JAG funds in the state of North Dakota. The goal of the task forces is to provide dedicated investigations in the area of controlled substance trafficking. The implementation of multi-jurisdictional narcotics task forces has improved coordination of drug control efforts through the sharing of information and planning of investigative activities among the agencies involved.

Remaining funds will be used to fund programs aimed at providing victims of violent crime with a wide range of services including court assistance, shelter, protection order preparation, children's medical and forensic examinations, and advocacy. The emphasis of these programs is to promote awareness, prevention, and involvement in the community through educational materials and presentations.

NCA/NCF