Gaston County 2016 Local JAG

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).

Gaston County and the city of Gastonia have been identified as disparate and have agreed to share the aggregate of funds allocated to them for their three law enforcement agencies. The County’s share of the funds will be shared between the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office and the Gaston County Police Department. The County PD will used $11,568 in JAG funds to purchase Simunition protective gear, training materials, Simunition conversion kits for firearms and Simunition rounds in order to provide reality based training for officers. The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office will use $14,240 to maintain its website, which provides the public with information on inmates, victim services, employment opportunities, statistical data, forms and applications, programs, events, court information, services, etc.; outfit 3 specialized deputies within the motorcycle unit with helmets equipped with radio communications and safety rain gear; and purchase a Fargo HDP 5000 Identification Card System which is necessary to issue ID cards to officers, civilian employees, and visitors. The city of Gastonia Police Department will use their share of the funds to purchase new NC State approved speed detection devices. With JAG, the GPD will replace all of its existing radars with new devices which will comply with the state of North Carolina’s specifications and 2017 deadline.

NCA/NCF