DeKalb County Government - File #: 2019-4244

• File #: 2019-4244
• Version: 1
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Preliminary Item
• File created: 8/30/2019
• In control: Board of Commissioners
• On agenda: 9/24/2019
• Title: Commission District(s): all Acceptance of DeKalb County's allocation under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/24/2019	1	Board of Commissioners	approved substitute submitted from the floor	Pass
9/17/2019	1	FAB-Finance, Audit & Budget Committee	recommended for approval.	Pass
9/17/2019	1	Committee of the Whole	Accepted to the BOC agenda and assigned

Substitute

Public Hearing:  YES ☐     NO ☒                                                  Department: District Attorney                                     

SUBJECT:

Title

Commission District(s): all

Acceptance of DeKalb County’s allocation under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

Body

Information Contact: Sherry Boston or Roz Harris

Phone Number: 404-371-4773

PURPOSE:

To consider accepting $255,733 for the 2019 Local Solicitation Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), to expire on September 30, 2022; and To consider authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to execute the necessary documents.

NEED/IMPACT:

The United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), allocated funding to DeKalb County, Georgia under BJA’s 2018 Local Solicitation Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $255,733.  The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (42 U.S.C. 3751(a)) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions.  JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system.  JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.  The DeKalb County’s JAG Team, which includes the District Attorney, Public Defender, Drug Court, Juvenile Court, Marshal, Police, Sheriff, and Solicitor-General proposed the following funding allocations:

Agency	Purpose Area	Total
District Attorney	Prosecution, Forensic Science	$31,007
Drug Court	Drug Treatment; Substance Abuse-Prevention	$31,007
Juvenile Court	Prevention-Juvenile Delinquency	$31,007
Marshal’s Office	Law Enforcement Leadership, Less Than Lethal, Officer Safety	$31,007
Police	Officer Safety, Less Than Lethal, Policing	$31,007
Police	3% NIBRS set-aside	$7,677
Public Defender	Indigent Defense	$31,007
Sheriff’s Office	Corrections	$31,007
Solicitor-General	Prosecution,  Restorative Justice	$31,007
Total		$255,733

Project Descriptions: The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office  The purpose of this project is to add a robust forensics platform to analyze and access I-Phone evidence in complex gang, homicide, opioid sale and distribution, and human trafficking cases.   The DeKalb County Drug Court  DCDC plans to utilize JAG funds for the purpose of supporting the salary of the full-time Track 1 Case Manager.   The DeKalb County Juvenile Court  DeKalb County Juvenile Court (DCJC) proposes to enhance restorative justice and prevention activities by continuing its evidence based GED program.  The DeKalb County Marshal’s Office  Funding will provide tactical safety equipment and training. The DeKalb Office of the Public Defender Funding will be utilized for training, supplies, and to improve courtroom and client interview technology.   The DeKalb County Police  Funding will be used for supplies to enhance SWAT activities investigations and deterrence in high crime areas, focusing on both suspect and officer safety in crisis situations. Funding will be used for a platform to be used for the Special Victims Unit to locate missing persons and for a camera system to be used by Narcotics, Vice, and SWAT. This year’s JAG also requires a 3% set-aside of the total award to be allocated to the agency responsible for switching to the National Incident Based Reporting System for crime reporting. DeKalb County is  not yet fully NIBRS compliant, and the Police Department is spearheading the compliance process. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office will purchase body worn cameras for detention officers, enabling recorded documentation of incidents in the jail and providing added safety for officers and inmates.  The mere presence of the cameras is predicted to decrease inmate attacks on officers and other inmates.  The decrease in use of force incidents will increase safety for inmates, officers, and all staff.  The DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office  Operating supplies for Investigations and for community engagement forums. SVU, Diversion and Community Prosecution programs will be purchased. Contractual costs for counselors who conduct psycho-educational sessions with the Solicitor-General’s multiple diversion programs. Training costs for office staff.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None. No match funds are required.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommended Action

 Accept $255,733 for the 2019 Local Solicitation Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), to expire on September 30, 2022;  and Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute the necessary documents.