The funding will be allocated as follows:
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program: • Maine Department of Public Safety- $1,873,978 Maine will use the JAG funds to sustain current statewide multi-jurisdictional drug task force activities. • City of Calais- $17,509 The City of Calais and the County of Washington will use their JAG funds to upgrade their technology in order to improve communications. • City of Biddeford- $50,936 The City of Biddeford plans to use the JAG funds to upgrade security around the police departments. The County of York intends to use the JAG funds to purchase equipment and provide training for deputies within the department. • City of Penobscot- $46,615 The Penobscot County Sheriff's Office will use the JAG funds for training and equipment for the Special Response Team, the City of Bangor will support the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Town of Dexter will use the funds to purchase a radar traffic device. • City of Saco- $10,687 The City of Saco plans to use the JAG funds to augment a drug enforcement and reduction strategy that will involve coordinating effort with both the State and Federal agencies working in the Maine area. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office intends to use the JAG funds to purchase equipment that will be useful in various investigations, enhance officer safety, and for miscellaneous equipment for the 600-bed correctional facility. • City of Portland- $158,263 The Portland Police Department will use the JAG funds to enhance services to the mentally ill, to computerize the department's photography library and to improve relations with the local immigrant and refugee communities through community policing initiatives. • Town of Brunswick- $11,824 The Town of Brunswick will use the JAG funds to purchase surveillance recording equipment, a data collection wand for tracking of property and evidence, and a hand-held wireless pocket PC. • Town of Old Orchard Beach- $15,235 The JAG funds will be used by Old Orchard Beach to pay for a Special Enforcement Team which will focus on problem areas within the community. At the present time, three problem areas will be targeted: illegal and illicit drug use, underage drinking and domestic violence. The grant will also fund some minor equipment items to support this task.
Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Enforcement Grant Program: • Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians- $75,212
STOP Violence Against Indian Women Grant Program: • Passamaquoddy Tribe- $150,000
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own 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 for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; and 6) planning, evaluation, and technology programs.
The Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Enforcement Grant Program implements certain provisions of the Violence Against Women Act. The program strengthens the safety of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and child abuse living in rural areas by creating and enhancing collaborative partnerships between criminal justice agencies, victim services providers, and community organizations to respond to crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, and child abuse, and to provide services to the victims of such violence.
The STOP Violence Against Indian Women Discretionary Grant Program assists Indian tribal governments in developing and strengthening tribal justice systems' responses to violent crimes committed against Indian women. The program supports the development of strategies and innovative approaches to provide services to Indian women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Its purpose is also to strengthen tribal law enforcement, prosecution efforts, and tribal courts where they exist.
The United States Department of Justice aims to ensure fair and impartial administration, enforce the law, defend the interests, and promote justice for all Americans. They ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic and provide Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime.
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