The Mesquite Police Department now has three new Dodge Chargers to add to their patrol fleet at no cost to the City of Mesquite. Funding was obtained by the City of Las Vegas through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) as part of The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

A portion of the grant award was for three police cruisers totaling $70,141 as well as the purchase of equipment to be installed in these cruisers such as, computers, radios, and lights.

The Byrne (JAG) program is a partnership among federal, state and local governments to create safer communities. The JAG was created in 2004 by Congress to streamline justice funding and grant administration. JAG 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. JAG blends the remnants of the previous Byrne Formula grant and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) programs to provide agencies with

the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are needed most.

Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws. Grants also may be used to provide assistance (other than compensation) to victims of these offenders.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Formula Grant Program was created by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690) and was renamed as the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in 2004 by the Congress.

Congressionally authorized Byrne purposes areas may still be considered for funding. JAG Formula Grant Program has six Purpose Areas:

Law enforcement programs

Prosecution and court programs

Prevention and Education programs

Corrections and community corrections programs

Drug Treatment programs

Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs

Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation)

“Many of the department’s current vehicles are worn out and have several thousand miles over the recommended mileage for law enforcement,” said Chief Troy Tanner. “We are currently looking at other grants to help update the equipment that our officers need to keep our community safe.”