Eric John (Easy E) Matherne
June 16, 2009June 18
June 18, 2009
Local law enforcement agencies and a crime victim assistance group are in line for nearly $1.3 million in federal grants through President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus bill.
The agencies received notices that they would be awarded grant money, but they are still in the final review stage. Notification allowing the agencies to begin spending is expected this week or next week
The Houma Police Department would be the biggest beneficiary, receiving $271,918 from the Edward Bryne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
Other grant recipients include the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, $252,905; Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, $215,419; St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, $177,987; Franklin Police Department, $164,706; Thibodaux Police Department, $61,638; Morgan City Police Department, $35,667; Chez Hope, Inc., $47,592, and the 16th Judicial District Court which includes St. Mary Parish, $59,204.
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, grant applicants had to show not only that receiving the funds would improve the criminal justice system, but help preserve or create jobs.
“This year’s application was quite challenging because before, grant applications were just, ‘Justify why you need this piece of equipment,'” said Sgt. Bobbie O’Bryan, Houma Police Department Planning & Operations Bureau grant writer. “Now it’s asking, ‘ Not only justify it, but what have you done to promote economic recovery.'”
Houma Police will use its grant dollars to improve interoperability communications, buy metro Wi-Fi equipment so patrol units can do more tasks from their vehicles and purchase two additional surveillance camera systems.
The police department and the TPSO have been working on upgrading interoperability as a joint venture for five years, with each agency setting aside funds for the improvements.
“Sometimes one agency can’t do it all by themselves,” O’Bryan said. “If it weren’t for the state, the sheriff’s office and the police department working together, we wouldn’t have accomplished all the goals that we had right now.”
The surveillance cameras will be part of Phase III in the police department’s Operation PEACE (Police Eyes Against Criminal Engagement) project placing cameras in neighborhoods.
In phases I and II, 79 cameras were installed in law enforcement and other government buildings. O’Bryan would not disclose how many surveillance cameras are currently overlooking neighborhoods.
The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office will use its grant to update radio equipment and buy new laptop computers for its patrol deputies, according to public information officer Maj. Malcolm Wolfe.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office will spend their funds on additional police units, said Sgt. John Sonnier, public information officer.
The Franklin Police Department is looking to purchase surveillance cameras, patrol vehicles and hire three officers to do more community policing.
“Hopefully, we can increase patrols in some of our high drug crime areas, lower the crime and bring back businesses and build up rental property back in those areas,” said Police Chief Sabria McGuire.
Chez Hope Inc. will hire one full-time and one part-time employee that will work with domestic violence victims and their families on housing issues.
“These advocates will help with getting documentation and everything needed for the housing because we do work through HUD (the Department of Housing and Urban Development),” said Sammy Riley, executive director.
The $1.3 million comes as welcome relief for the agencies. O’Bryan explained that 2007 and 2008 were bad years for grant money awarded, and law enforcement agencies struggled.
“In past years, we got $40,000, $50,000 in direct grants. Last year we received a little over $16,000,” he said. “So, it just dwindled down and down and down until we were barely getting anything.”
The JAG grants are divided into two parts: monies awarded directly to a government agency from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and monies funneled through the state.
The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE) approved state grants last month. If the final review is cleared, agencies should expect to receive the state grants by July 1 and the direct JAG grants by Oct. 1.
Grants awarded through the state have to be spent within two years, while the direct JAG grants need to be spent in three years, O’Bryan said.
City police departments still need to get the approval of their respective parish councils before they can spend the grant awards.
Houma Police dispatchers Rontell Poindexter (left) and Brandy Rodrigue monitor the department’s radio communications and surveillance camera images. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
