Knoxville/Knox County JAG 2010

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 the city of Knoxville and Knox County agreed to share the Fiscal Year 2010 local JAG funds in the amount of $253,833. The city of Knoxville will act as the fiscal agent and decided to utilize up to ten percent, or $25,383, for costs associated with administering the grant. The remaining $228,450 will be divided equally between Knox County and the city of Knoxville, each entity receiving $114,225. With the JAG funds, the city of Knoxville will purchase a Portable Onsite Surveillance System to monitor various special events and high crime areas during homeland security high alerts and peak crime hours. The new system will focus on addressing violent crime and effective counterterrorism and terrorism prevention programs by: expanding the police department's grant management, research and evaluation, intensifying special event safety and surveillance operations to deter crime and to provide safer neighborhoods; and allocating funds to The Knoxville Family Justice Center (KFJC) to serve those who are coping with or fleeing family violence. Knox County will use JAG funds to purchase five new marked Ford Crown Victoria vehicles (police cruisers) for patrol officers to reduce vehicle maintenance costs and increase the safety of officers.

NCA/NCF