The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control drug trafficking, drug related crime, and violent crime. Based on their own local needs and conditions, agencies are provided with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are needed most.
JAG funds can be used for but are not limited to state and local initiatives, employ staff, travel and training expenses, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following 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 assistance (other than compensation).
- Mental health and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.
- Implementation of state crisis intervention court proceedings and related programs or initiatives including, but not limited to mental health courts, drug courts, veterans' courts, and extreme risk protection order programs.
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) provides funds to implement data-driven and evidence-based criminal justice programs or practices in one or more of the program areas described below:
- Law Enforcement Equipment - Applicants are invited to purchase equipment that improves or enhances the delivery of daily law enforcement services to the community and/or ensures the safety of citizens and officers. Projects should seek to provide, upgrade and/or update equipment that would assist in increasing capacity and efficiency within the agency.
- Public Safety Based-Programs - DCJS has identified the following project/program area as priorities for funding through this solicitation. Applicants may apply for only one category/program area.
- Law Enforcement Programs - This program area would provide public safety measures that meet the needs of local communities through innovative criminal justice programs and develop enforcement and training programs that target the needs of victims, suspects, or offenders.
- Community Policing and Youth Engagement Programs - To assist agencies with developing, implementing, and supporting community policing strategies and initiatives. Funds are available for projects to develop effective community policing strategies, to increase the number of agencies using proven community policing strategies, and to increase awareness of community policing programs.
- Combatting Drugs - To address the concerns and reduce the prevalence of fentanyl and other opioids, funds are available for programs such as Drug Taskforces, naloxone purchase and distribution programs, and community awareness.
- Law Enforcement Accreditation and Policy Development Program - This funding would provide law enforcement agencies to develop and proceed with agency accreditation.
- Law Enforcement Overtime - This program area would provide funding to specifically support overtime costs for newly established patrols that target high priority areas experiencing increased criminal activity and events where public safety faces the greatest challenges.
- Other Innovative Law Enforcement Programs - These initiatives would provide public safety measures that meet the needs of local communities through innovative criminal justice programs and develop law enforcement programs that focus on the needs of the community they serve.
NOTE: Applicants may apply for one application for only one of the targeted funding areas.
If there is funding available, applicants may apply for funding for a program that is not in the identified focused funding areas that addresses an identified public safety problem area within the nine JAG purpose areas listed above.