WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office along with the cities of Everett, Lynnwood, and Marysville were recently awarded Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“The Byrne JAG program is an invaluable resource for state and local law enforcement. This funding will provide police across our state the cutting-edge equipment and tools they need to prevent crime, improve public safety, process DNA samples faster, and deliver justice for victims,” Senator Maria Cantwell wrote in a statement announcing the award recipients.
A total of 17 JAG grants; two Field Initiated: Encouraging Innovation grants; and one formula funding grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention were awarded to police departments, sheriff’s offices, and municipalities across Washington state totaling $6.3 million.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office will receive $448,000 in JAG funding to support the use of a Rapid DNA system, allowing law enforcement to process DNA found and recovered from a crime scene and receive a DNA profile in approximately 90 minutes. The Sheriff’s Office is expecting to increase the number of solved crimes such as homicides, robberies, rapes, assaults, burglaries, and auto thefts which currently go unsolved due to limitations in DNA processing at the State lab.
The Rapid DNA system can also be used to help first responders identify victims in a mass casualty event.
To assist with its recruitment efforts, the city of Everett was awarded $34,720 in JAG funding by the DOJ. Everett Police Department will use the funds to enhance its hiring strategies with digital marketing campaigns and targeted visual ads, with the aim of decreasing its vacancy count at the time of the application from 28 to five.
The city of Marysville will receive $11,426 in JAG funding to purchase an unmanned aerial vehicle. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) can enhance officer safety by completing property flyovers during planning phases of search warrants, K9 patrols, and locating high-risk suspects. These can also aid in locating missing persons.
The Lynnwood Police Department will receive $10,209 in JAG funding to purchase police equipment to aid in public and officer safety.
DOJ awarded 17 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG),
The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution, crime prevention and education, drug treatment and enforcement, technology improvement, and more.
The following other organizations in Washington state also received funding:
- The Seattle Police Department:
- $1.5 million in JAG funding for the Seattle Police Department to support the continued investigation and prosecution of unsolved sexual assault cases, using advanced DNA analysis, new research methodologies, and innovative investigative tools to identify and bring to justice violent sex offenders.
- $750,012 in JAG funding for the Seattle Police Department to help cover the cost of law enforcement overtime, purchase law enforcement and investigative equipment, enhance training, implement community-based programs, streamline and augment technology systems, support activities that prevent and reduce crime, and provide services to victims.
- $690,000 in Field Initiated: Encouraging Innovation funding for the Seattle Police Department to develop a new risk management system to help enhance the accuracy of risk assessments for incoming emergency calls and better facilitate the inclusion of co-responders for calls that involve mental health crises.
- $1 million in Field Initiated: Encouraging Innovation funding for the Washington State Department of Corrections, to hire two new corrections specialists to develop a comprehensive Quality Assurance Manual and Quality Improvement Process.
- $989,698 in formula funding grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families for delinquency prevention interventions and juvenile justice system improvements, including community-based programing and collaboration with groups that work with children re-entering their communities.
- $339,235 in JAG funding for the City of Tacoma and Pierce County to partner with sub-contractors who offer youth violence reducing strategies in high-need neighborhoods, as well as support a sex offender records management system.
- $169,949 in JAG funding for Spokane County, the City of Spokane, and the City of Spokane Valley to support salary and benefits for administrative prosecution staff, build out a Crisis Negotiation Team van, purchase two e-bikes, and purchase tactical equipment.
- $121,258 in JAG funding for Clark County and the City of Vancouver to send new command staff to leadership training. The rest of the funds will be used to invest in new technologies, equipment, and supplies to improve law enforcement efficiency and community safety.
- $63,243 in JAG funding for the City of Yakima to fund police overtime hours for increased patrols in high-density and high-crime areas, as well as new e-bikes for officers and communication equipment.
- $41,304 in JAG funding for the City of Kennewick and Benton County to purchase new radios and ballistic helmets.
- $40,170 in JAG funding for the City of Bellingham to add four more bicycles to its Civil Disturbance Unit, six WRAP restraint systems, and new ballistic vests.
- $39,423 in JAG funding for Kitsap County to purchase ballistic safety equipment.
- $39,064 in JAG funding for the City of Lakewood to purchase an Unmanned Ground System – or tactical robot – which allows officers to investigate situations like suspicious packages, armed subjects, hostage situations, or HAZMAT assessments without placing themselves in harm’s way.
- $19,809 in JAG funding for the Thurston County Treasurer to purchase two units of Grappler Police Bumper pursuit technology, which is designed to de-escalate high-risk vehicle pursuits and prevent unnecessary injury or property damage.
- $14,524 in JAG funding for the City of Bremerton to maintain and develop crime prevention activities and initiatives for the downtown city core and seven council districts.
- $10,098 in JAG funding for the City of Longview to continue its school resource officer program.
For 2024, the Department of Justice has awarded just over $46 million to 57 recipients through its various grant programs.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
