FY 14 JAG Program

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 Modesto Police Department will use its share of the FY 2014 JAG funds to purchase 800 Mhz and UHF radios for police officers. Response time will improve, and communication between law enforcement agencies throughout the county will allow officers to assist each other, enhance their ability to share information, and coordinate public safety responses to all hazards.

The sheriff's department will use its share of the award to fund overtime on gang suppression operations. Goals will include: 1) enforcement of all laws, including arrests and issuance of citations to the violators; 2) providing frequent gang suppression operations, during the summer months, with the primary focus on preventing gang related activities; 3) providing gang awareness presentations within the communities, in an effort to educate them on how to identify gang members and gang activities; and 4) reaching out to members of the community to establish a strong working partnership.

The probation department will use its share of the award to fund a portion of a probation officer's salary in Fiscal Year 2014-2015. This position will help maintain staffing levels for supervision of adult probationers. The deputy probation officer is responsible for supervising adult probationers convicted of domestic violence and felonious crimes, and promoting responsible behavior and offender accountability. NCA/NCF