Recovery Act JAG Program

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act') and by 42 U.S.C. 3751(a). The stated purposes of the Recovery Act are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new website ' Recovery.gov ' to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funded under the Recovery Act is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Recovery JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. Recovery JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

The city of McCall will use the Recovery Act JAG award in the amount of $26,666 on records management and program implementation. The McCall Police Department will use the majority of funds to improve their records, evidence, and property inventory management. By purchasing new computers, tracking systems, scanners, and licenses, the office will be able to increase storage space, provide ready access to electronic files, improve confidentiality, increase responsiveness, reduce personnel hours spent in records research, maintain proper chain of custody, and reduce probability of human error. The implementation of a Neighborhood Watch program will increase neighborhood involvement and responsibility in preventing crimes, as well as improving the relationship with the McCall Police Department. Funds directed towards the program will cover the costs of materials and resources, advertising within the local newspaper, and the hosting of neighborhood meetings with homeowners associations and the department.

NCA/NCF