13.
Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
Each OJP Bureau
is headed by a presidentially appointed Director or Administrator. The
Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is responsible for
administering DOJ's primary criminal justice grant agency. BJA provides
funding, training, and technical assistance to state and local governments
to combat violent and drug-related crime and help improve the criminal
justice system. It also administers the Edward Byrne Memorial State and
Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program (42 U.S.C. 3750).
Under the Byrne Discretionary Grant Program, BJA provides federal
financial assistance to support state and local criminal justice agencies
through training, technical assistance, national or multijurisdictional
projects, and demonstration programs that, in view of previous research or
experience, are likely to be a success in more than one jurisdiction. For
example, BJA funds the National Citizens' Crime Prevention Campaign, which
develops crime and drug abuse prevention programs and advertising featuring
"McGruff, the Crime Dog," who asks citizens to help "Take A Bite Out of
Crime." The Campaign also operates a toll-free telephone
number--1/800-WE-PREVENT--through which the public can obtain free crime
prevention materials.
Under the Byrne Formula Grant Program, BJA makes grants to 56
states and territories, for use by state and local units of government, to
improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, with emphasis on
violent crime and serious offenders, and to enforce state and local drug
laws. Formula grants may be used for personnel, equipment, training,
technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread
apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of
persons who violate such laws and to assist crime victims. Of the total
appropriated each year for Byrne formula grants, each state receives a base
amount of 0.25 percent, with the remaining funds allocated on the basis of
each state's relative share of the total United States population. Each
state is required to develop a statewide strategy to improve the functioning
of the criminal justice system that focuses on drug trafficking, violent
crime, and serious offenders. The strategy is prepared after consultation
with state and local criminal justice officials. At least 25 percent of the
cost of a formula grant program or project must be paid with non-federal
funds. Local governments must receive a share of the state's formula grant
funds equal to the ratio of local criminal justice expenditures to total
criminal justice expenditures for the state.
BJA also administers the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants
Program created by the Omnibus Fiscal Year 1996 Appropriations Act (Pub.
L. 104-134). This program provides block grants to local governments to
reduce crime and enhance public safety. Funds may be used to hire and train
additional law enforcement officers and support personnel; pay overtime to
law enforcement personnel; procure equipment, technology, or other law
enforcement materials; enhance school security; establish or support drug
courts; prosecute violent offenders, including juveniles; establish
multijurisdictional task forces; and support crime prevention programs.
In addition, BJA administers the State Criminal Alien Assistance
Program (SCAAP), which reimburses states for the costs of incarcerating
almost 38,000 illegal aliens convicted of state felony offenses; the
Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program, 42 U.S.C. 3796),
which awards a cash benefit to eligible survivors of public safety officers
killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty; and the Regional
Information Sharing System (RISS) Program which provides intelligence,
training, and other services to law enforcement agencies investigating
organized crime, gangs, and major drug trafficking networks.
[cited in
USAM 1-2.305]
|