FY 19 SW Border Rural LE Information Sharing and Interdictions Assistance Program

The BJA Southwest Border Rural Law Enforcement Information Sharing and Interdiction Assistance Grants are an innovative new program designed to provide resources and assistance to fund rural law enforcement agencies along or near the southwest border of the United States to support their efforts to reduce violent crime, including drug-related crime and human trafficking. These grants are designed to enhance information sharing (including investigatory and intelligence data) and dedicated messaging capability among federal, state, local, and tribal agencies working along or near the southwest border, and to provide previously identified specialized equipment to address crime issues that may be unique to the designated area.

Grant funds will be used to equip all 65 patrol officers with laptops. The current ones are at end-of-life. The grantee has developed the "Tech to Protect" program designed to leverage technology upgrades to enhance the safety of the community and officers. The expected outcomes will include real-time GPS tracking, communication, information sharing, and emergency alerts; improved data collection and use of data; improved cross-jurisdictional collaboration; and reductions in duplicate efforts in record-keeping, therefore streamlining the criminal justice process. CA/NCF