The JAG – Local Solicitation program 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. This funding provides agencies with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are most needed.
The FFY 2017 JAG award included new rules to include a requirement that localities give federal immigration authorities access to jails and a requirement that localities must provide 48 hours advance notification of plans to release an inmate wanted on an immigration detainer. Due to multiple lawsuits that resulted in a nationwide injunction, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) delayed the issuance of FFY 2017 JAG awards. The FFY 2017 awards were released in June 2018. However, additional information regarding these new requirements was not provided by the DOJ until September 14, 2018. This information also revised the certifications that were required to be signed by the County Administrator and County Attorney. On October 3, 2018, the County was notified that the grant award documents had to be signed and returned to DOJ by October 5, 2018 otherwise the funding would be deobligated. The award document was signed and returned to the DOJ on October 4, 2018 with the understanding that if the Board of Supervisors did not approve the award acceptance, that a request to de-obligate the award would be submitted to the DOJ.
Under the FFY 2017 JAG award, Spotsylvania County is eligible to receive $30,237. Originally, it was intended that these grant funds would be used to pay for storage costs associated with the implementation of a body worn camera (BWC) program. Due to the delay in receiving the FFY 2017 award and to prevent a delay implementing the BWC program, the Sheriff’s Office utilized funding intended to purchase BWCs to pay for the associated storage costs. The Sheriff’s Office would now like to use the FFY 2017 JAG funds to purchase 23 body worn cameras and 3 transfer stations. The estimated cost for these items is $30,820. The Sheriff’s Office will cover the difference of $583 through use of their FY 2019 Adopted Budget and/or through the use of their asset/forfeiture funds. A request to revise the original application to use the funding for BWCs instead of associated storage has been submitted to the DOJ for their consideration.
If accepted, the grant period will expire on September 30, 2020.