Congressman Bishop Announces Justice Department $287,195 Grants to Albany, Americus, Columbus, and Macon

Press Release

Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice is awarding $287,195 in funds to Albany, Americus, Columbus, and Macon, Georgia through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The JAG Program allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions.

"We all want to make our communities safer through law enforcement and crime prevention programs as well as a justice system that is fair and aims to uplift our communities. Making sure our communities are engaging in smart policing and have the tools as well as facilities to serve their communities is vital," said Congressman Bishop. "That is why I pushed for robust funding of these programs through the U.S. House Appropriations Committee so that grant awards like this help Albany, Americus, Columbus, and Macon create local solutions to meet their unique needs."

Through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, the following cities will be awarded funds:

The City of Albany will receive $83,805.
The City of Americus will receive $12,155.
The City of Columbus will receive $104,731.
The City of Macon will receive $87,224.
"We are grateful to Congressman Bishop for working to secure the Edward Byrne JAG grant for our community. This grant aids in protecting and providing for our public safety officers and the citizens they serve," said Columbus Mayor B. H. "Skip" Henderson, III. "The grants will go towards body cameras, intelligence led policing, and upgrading our emergency operations center. These investments help to ensure that all interactions between our first responders and the public result in positive outcomes."

"We are continually looking for ways to increase the safety of our officers as well as our citizens. This funding will support youth engagement, use of force de-escalation, and recruitment/retention efforts within the department," said Chief Michael Persley of the Albany Police Department. "We are thankful to our national elected officials for their continued pursuit of ensuring law enforcement agencies provide professional and quality services to the citizens they serve."

JAG Program funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following program areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation) and 8) mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.

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