Burlington County Youth Mentoring Project

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).

Burlington County, serving as the fiscal agent, will share the Fiscal Year 2011 JAG award with one disparate jurisdiction. In a disparate situation, the units of local government must apply for an award with a single, joint application. Through this initiative law enforcement officers will be paid overtime to conduct mentoring activities with at-risk youth living in the community. The mentoring will be implemented by sending officers to existing gathering places for youth, including recreation centers, after school programs, and playgrounds/parks. In addition, the law enforcement agencies will sponsor youth programs such as youth police academies, boxing programs, basketball programs, trips, and special events. Through these opportunities for interaction, children will be educated on the importance of avoiding substance use/abuse, criminal activity, and gang membership. If during the course of the activities officers acquire intelligence that can be used to combat crime, it will be entered in the county's Info Share System managed by the prosecutor's office.

NCA/NCF