Central MS Gulf Coast Law Enforcement Resource Enhancement 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 disparate jurisdictions consisting of Harrison County, Biloxi City, and the city of Gulfport will share this Fiscal Year 2010 JAG Local award in the amount of $125,424. In a disparate situation, the units of local government must apply for an award with a single, joint application. JAG funds will be used by Harrison County to purchase in-car computers for the Criminal Interdiction Patrol (CIP) Division, and covert surveillance equipment for their Narcotics Division. In-car computers and covert surveillance equipment will further enhance the Harrison County Sheriff's Office's capacity to combat criminal activity and are essential to the departments operation, investigations, enforcement as well as prosecution. The city of Biloxi will use grant funding to update the Biloxi Police Department's aging motorcycle patrol fleet and radar equipment, and upgrade video coverage of the department's prisoner processing area. The city of Gulfport plans to provide the resources to the city of Gulfport Police Department to provide overtime and associated fringe benefits most needed to achieve its strategic goal of the Smart Policing Program.

NCA/NCF