2014 Portland-Metropolitan Area Law Enforcement Community JAG Programs

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 disparate jurisdictions of City of Portland, City of Gresham, and County of Multnomah will use their joint FY 2014 JAG funds in the amount of $483,619 to assist the Portland metropolitan area law enforcement and criminal justice community to prevent and reduce crime and violence. Specific goals include: 1) to retain a senior management analyst to recommend, develop, and implement Police Bureau policies and procedures; 2) to contract with local service providers for treatment, housing, counseling, and training for women in prostitution-related offenses; 3) to retain a deputy district attorney to work with citizens, businesses, community organizations, and law enforcement to identify crime issues pertinent to the community; 4) to retain a probation and parole officer to strengthen the referral and education system surrounding appropriate referrals to alcohol and drug treatment; 5) to hire an enforcement deputy to work with the Sheriff's Office River Patrol Unit to provide free access to Multnomah County waterways; and 6) to contract with a local service provider for a gang outreach and prevention employee to identify and intervene, utilizing violence reduction strategies in the cycle of street-level violence between high risk gang members. NCA/NCF