JAG Block 2013

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 program 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 San Diego and San Diego County are listed as disparate jurisdictions under the FY 13 Local JAG allocation. The San Diego Police Department plans to utilize its portion of JAG funds to pay in part for overhauling two helicopter engines. The mission of the police department's Air Support Unit (ABLE) is to provide aerial support to officers and detectives on the ground through the use of airborne tactics and by strategically deploying the use of airborne technologies. Helicopters are complex machines which require constant maintenance, inspections, and overhauls to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness requirements, to fulfill operational needs, and to ensure the safety of aircrews and the community. The FAA mandates aircraft engine overhauls to occur at specific time intervals. The engines installed in ABLE's four helicopters are scheduled for overhaul every 3,500 hours of operation time. As ABLE flies approximately 3,000 hours per year, an average of one engine overhaul occurs per year.

The county of San Diego is requesting funds for gang suppression. The Probation Department will utilize JAG funds to support one full-time equivalent deputy probation officer on the San Diego Sheriff Department's Gang Suppression Task Force in the East County. The goal of the gang suppression officer is to identify and target criminal street gang members and associates on probation, assist offenders to successfully complete probation, recommend immediate prosecution of probation violators, provide education and information to the public, and develop timely and accurate criminal intelligence. The officer will assist probationers by assessing their risk and needs and by referring individuals to appropriate community-based organizations for counseling, training, and support. In addition, the gang suppression officer will practice intensive case management methods in order to enforce court orders and will conduct waiver searches of probationers, as appropriate.

NCA/NCF