FY 2014 State Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (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 South Carolina Department of Public Safety will utilize the FY 2014 JAG award to fund programs which improve the functionality of the criminal justice system and emphasize prevention and control of violent crime and serious offenders. South Carolina proposes to address the gaps in services within state and local government through: drug and violent crime enforcement, to include multi-jurisdictional task forces, methamphetamine enforcement, school resource officers, crime scene/forensic investigators; gang crime reduction programs by committing investigative resources specifically to combat firearms violence and gang activity; the reduction of sexual and domestic violence offenses through prevention, enforcement, apprehension or adjudication; the enhancement of state and local forensic laboratories to include regional drug analysis laboratories and crime lab backlog reduction programs; law enforcement communications programs; and law enforcement equipment which provide local and state law enforcement agencies with updated equipment to increase their effectiveness and enhance officer safety. Subawards will provide for personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and criminal justice information systems for the more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention and rehabilitation of persons who violate criminal laws. In addition, funds will be available for projects that facilitate the implementation of innovative initiatives aimed at crime and drug control. NCA/NCF