BPD Proposes Use of Grant Funds for 2 New Patrol Cars

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Police Department is proposing to use its 2013-14 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant to buy two fully-equipped police cruisers. The JAG program, administered by BJA and authorized under Public Law 109-162, is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. 

The grant is in the amount of $26,435. The cost of two, outfitted patrol cars is $80,000. Forfeiture funds would be used as a leverage match for the balance of the difference (click here to read proposal). A public hearing for the proposed application of the grant will be held at the June 26 Bradenton City Council meeting. 

The JAG Program provides states, tribes and local governments with funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.

Officer Byrne served the NYPD and was assassinated 20 years ago by a violent drug gang in New York City, while he sat on patrol in a marked police car, guarding the home of a cooperating witness. The JAG grant is named to honor his sacrifice and has helped communities all over our nation with resources to make their neighborhoods safer.