Law Enforcement and Corrections Improvements

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 Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have been identified as disparate and have agreed to share the aggregate of funds allocated to them through the JAG Program to reduce crime and increase the perception of safety in Mecklenburg County. The city of Charlotte will use funds for law enforcement overtime, salaries for their police cadet program, and to purchase camera equipment for their neighborhood security camera initiative. Strategies to be used include extensive overtime for Charlotte-Mecklenburg officers to respond to emerging crime trends through a stronger police presence in problem areas and the implementation of crime reduction strategies tailored to specific problems/areas; and to expand the Charlotte-Mecklenburg neighborhood security camera initiative. The cameras assist police in detecting criminal activity and give neighborhood residents a heightened sense of security. Mecklenburg County will use their share of the funds to purchase radios and accessories, which will enhance the safety of deputies; make enhancements to their EIRMS reporting system, which includes the employee, training, and incident management systems for the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office; to update Alco sensors for deputies making DWI stops; to install shower doors for inmate showers, which will reduce assaults on deputies; and for community service programs. NCA/NCF