FY 2010 Justice Assistance Grant 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 the city of Des Moines and Polk County, will share the JAG award. In a disparate situation, the units of local government must apply for their award with a single, joint application. JAG funds will be used for activities and projects that will provide meaningful and measurable outcomes consistent with the goals of the JAG program.

The city of Des Moines, serving as the fiscal agent for this grant award, will use their share of funds to purchase a field reporting system that utilizes electronic forms for automated reporting. This will allow the city police officers to stay longer in their assigned areas, through reporting via mobile data computers or laptops instead of desktop computers. The city of Des Moines will also purchase 13 in-car digital audio and video cameras that will be installed in marked police vehicles. Polk County will use their portion of the award to purchase three in-car cameras and three laptops for county law enforcement.

NCA/NCF