In 2009, the Fillmore Police Department applied for and just received a one time payment of $21,600 in JAG money to help offset operating costs in the City Police Gang Unit. The money has been provided at a critical time when police services are needed most.

The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (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 and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions.

The Byrne Justice Assistance (JAG) Program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and court, prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, and technology improvement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.

BJA supports law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, victim services, technology, and prevention initiatives that strengthen the nation’s criminal justice system. BJA provides leadership, services, and funding to America’s communities by: Emphasizing local control; Building relationships in the field; Provide training and technical assistance in support of efforts to prevent crime, drug abuse, and violence at the national, state, and local levels; Developing collaborations and partnerships; Promoting capacity building through planning; Streamlining the administration of grants; Increasing training and technical assistance; Creating accountability of projects; Encouraging innovation; and Communicating the value of justice efforts to decision makers at every level.