Stimulus Provides Record Boost for Fighting Drugs, Gangs, and Violence against the Elderly Funding is More Than the Last Four Years Combined
Buried deep in the stimulus bill is more than $30 million to help New York City fight crime. The “Justice Assistance Grant” (JAG) program is a multi-purpose, anti-crime initiative that helps cops, District Attorneys, and prosecutors take on gang violence, drug trafficking, and juvenile justice.
According to a study released today by Representative Anthony Weiner (D – Queens and Brooklyn), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, the City will receive a $30 to $35 million windfall in JAG funding – more than the last four years combined.
Among the programs that have been funded with jag dollars in the past are:
NYPD used funds to implement state-of-the-art child exploitation tracking system
Brooklyn DA used funds to try violent juvenile offenders, particularly those affiliated with gangs
Manhattan DA used funds to target criminals who are violent and habitual offenders
Queens DA used funds to target hate crimes and track patterns of youth gang development
Staten Island DA to enhance the prosecution of violent offenders.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor used funds to crackdown on career and violent narcotics offenders
City used funds to manage digital images and videos sent to 911 and 311 systems via cell phones and computers.
The recently-enacted stimulus provides more than $2.76 billion nationwide to allow states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the criminal justice system.
Rep. Weiner said, “These funds get the federal government back in the business of keeping our streets safe. They will help all levels of law enforcement put violent criminals and gangs behind bars.”
