Catawba County and Hickory Police JAG Equipment

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 Hickory and Catawba County have been identified as disparate and have agreed to share the aggregate of 2015 JAG funds allocated to them for law enforcement equipment. The city of Hickory will use their share of the funds for body worn camera equipment. The body worn cameras will capture a broader span than the current in-car camera systems and will afford the police department a more efficient way to collect, store, and manage digital video evidence of officers’ interactions. Catawba County will use their share of the allocation to purchase law enforcement equipment to be used in active shooter response training. Funds will be used to purchase converted pistols for training, rifle conversion kits for training, and training ammunition for both systems. Training will be targeted at SWAT and first responder deputies.

NCA/NCF