JAG - Law Enforcement Enhancement

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 city of Muskegon and Muskegon Heights will use their JAG award in the amount of $72,886 for law enforcement and prosecution purposes. Muskegon County and the two cities agreed that funds will be used by the cities, and the county will not receive an allocation. The city of Muskegon, serving as the fiscal agent, will use its share to support the prosecution of city ordinance cases dealing with neighborhood issues. City personnel's experience in working with the 15 neighborhood associations is that violations of city ordinances negatively impact the quality of life of residents. Although these issues are important, there is a lack of funding for the prosecution of these types of cases. The expectation is that successful prosecutions will improve the quality of life for city residents. The city of Muskegon Heights will use its share of funding to purchase a fully equipped police cruiser. Budget cuts have seriously diminished the dollars available for equipment expenditures, including police vehicles.

NCA/NCF