The Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice makes grants to local units of government to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist crime victims. The DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) is a formula grant that allows agencies to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. JAG blends the previous Byrne Formula Grant Program and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program.
Gaston County is slated to receive $66,615 in assistance through the Department of Justice’s 2012 Justice Assistance Grant program. JAG funding is allocated through a joint award to be shared between the Gaston County Police Department, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Gastonia Police Department, as outlined through an agreement between the City of Gastonia and Gaston County, NC.
The formula used to allocate JAG funds between Gaston County Police Department and the City of Gastonia Police Departments is based on Part I Crime Rates. The Sheriff’s Office will receive 25 percent of each department’s allocation, which is proportionate to the Office’s Part I Crime incarceration costs. Based on this formula, the City of Gastonia Police Department will receive $39,378; the Gaston County Police Department will receive $10,583, and the Sheriff’s Office will receive $16,654. The proposed uses of 2012 JAG funding are equipment and training.
Public input is invited on the 2012 JAG application. Please contact Pat Laws, Grants Administrator at 704-866-3771 with comments.