Utah Cities Get Department Of Justice Grants To Support Police Departments, Serve Communities

            SALT LAKE CITY – The Department of Justice has awarded grants to several Utah cities under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The JAG Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions and supports a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.

            Among the cities receiving local solicitation grants this year are West Valley City, Layton, Sandy, Provo, Ogden, West Jordan, Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake City, and Murray. The Utah Commission on Crime and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) received a JAG grant of $1,421,840 under the state solicitation portion of the grant program.

            “This program allows cities to apply for grant funds to address local needs and to support a broad range of local initiatives. Our communities are using the funding to increase officer safety, build transparency between police officers and the communities they serve, and to reduce crime in our neighborhoods.  Grant recipients are also using funds to target specific issues we face in Utah, such as prescription drug abuse, domestic violence, and gang violence,” U.S. Attorney for Utah John W. Huber said today.  The grants are awarded through DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.

            CCJJ will used its JAG funds to enhance statewide public safety services, support of the Utah Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program; and continue other evidence-based projects that support the juvenile justice system, among other things.  CCJJ’s JAG priority areas include addressing gang prevention/education or enforcement, prescription drug abuse prevention/education or enforcement, sexual assault or domestic violence, mental health courts and problem solving courts.

            West Valley City will receive $90,892 to purchase body cameras for officers. The goals of the grant funding include facilitating transparency and fostering relationships of trust between officers and citizens of the city.

            Layton will receive $13,529 to purchase equipment to increase officer safety and to help provide effective service to city residents and Davis County.

            Sandy will also use its $19,579 grant to buy equipment, including in-car video camera systems, to provide increased safety for officers and help reduce crime.

            Provo will use its $22,532 grant to enhance officer safety and to protect residents of the city.  Purchases will include upgrading computers and software.  Funds also will be used to purchase Tasers.

            Ogden intends to use its $56,117 grant to purchase body cameras and provide training as a part of the city’s participation in multi-jurisdictional law enforcement efforts.

            West Jordan will receive $29,487 to purchase law enforcement equipment, including hand-held radios, to improve the capability of police officers.

            Murray intends to use its award of $26,439 to purchase digital in-car cameras to improve the capabilities of first responders in the city.

            South Salt Lake City will use its $27,963 grant to purchase body cameras for officers.

            Salt Lake City will receive a grant of $291,397 to support the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Explorer Program and the Salt Lake Peer Court.  The funding will be used to provide equipment and technology, training for civilians and sworn officers, and organizing enforcement and community overtime projects.

            Taylorsville, awarded $29,916, will use its grant money to purchase bicycles, lasers, printers, first aid equipment, surveillance equipment, digital cameras, and safety supply handouts for presentations.  The updated equipment will help improve neighborhoods security in Taylorsville.