Guilford County LE Enhancements FY 16

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 Greensboro, city of High Point, and Guilford County have been identified as disparate and have agreed to share the aggregate of funds allocated to them under the 2016 JAG Program to provide safer communities for the citizens of Guilford County. The Greensboro Police Department (GPD) will use their share of the JAG funds for a patrol vehicle & a Special Response Team (SRT) Robot. Part of the GPD’s implementation of Neighborhood Oriented Policing (NOP) included redrawing the police districts and realignment of personnel, thus creating the need for patrol vehicles. The SRT falls under the GPD’s Special Operations Division. The team is mobilized for special duty on a call-up basis. This technology provides officers with greater capabilities and real time information for dynamic building entry. The High Point Police Department (HPPD) will use their share of JAG funds for 8 in-car cameras. The HPPD is presently working to equip all police patrol vehicles with in-car cameras & replacing cameras that are broken, aging & out-of-date. Currently, the HPPD lacks cameras in 15 patrol vehicles. The cameras enhance officers’ safety, improves accountability, reduces liability, simplifies incident review, enhances officer training, improves community perception, strengthens police leadership, advances prosecution & case resolution, and enhances officer performance and professionalism. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Department (GCSD) will use their share of the funds for 64 backseat cameras for patrol cars, 35 Micro body cameras for the Emergency Response Team & 2 Tablets (computers) with all hardware/software/accident protection/docking station/charger & protective sleeve. Backseat cameras will allow officers driving to observe the arrestee in order to monitor for medical emergencies & create a safer environment during transports. Micro body cameras enable the GCSD to create a more professional & transparent law enforcement presence. This is especially critical for this specialized response team. The tablets will allow for a more mobile response within the law enforcement center-allowing for greater access to real time information.

NCA/NCF