#5 Authorize the police department to apply for the 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program
POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
April 18, 2012
TO: City Council
FROM: David Moore, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Motion to Authorize the Police Department to apply for the 2012
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
Executive Summary
The police department is eligible to apply for the 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial
Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
Staff Recommendation
The Police Chief recommends applying for the JAG grant for department
equipment. The grant will reduce future financial burden to the City’s tax levy.
City Manager Recommendation
The City Manager concurs with the Police Chief’s recommendation.
Background
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) is a formula grant
based upon population and crime statistics. The department is able to use grant
funds to purchase law enforcement equipment. The department must apply for
the JAG grant jointly with the Rock County Sheriff’s Department and the Beloit
Police Department. The Sheriff’s Department will be the administering agency
who will apply for the grant and will submit all required reports. The three
agencies need to agree on the individual allocations. The total grant available for
the three agencies is $40,051.00. Janesville’s agreed upon allocation is $16,100.
The deadline to apply for the JAG grant is May 14, 2012 with a mandatory 30 day
public review period.
Analysis
The police department has received JAG grant funding in previous years. The
current requirements are the same as in previous years. The grants have been
used to purchase police bicycles, less lethal weapons, SWAT rifles, squad
equipment, digital recorders, interview room recording equipment, and LED
flashlights. The department received $26,900 in 2009, $21,700 in 2010 and
$18,700 in 2011. There is no cash match required for the JAG grant program.
The department has tentatively identified the following objectives for equipment
to purchase with the 2012 JAG grant funds:
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1. Purchase one LED light bar to replace an older and less energy efficient
light bar on squad 297 (Officer Mahaffey and K9 Hardy).
2. Purchase a digital body wire system for our undercover operations.
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Jacob J. Winzenz, Director of Administrative Services
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