Washington, DC (April 26, 2006) – Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) has awarded Hidalgo County with $88,653 for its Commissioner’s Court and the City of Edinburg with $19,371 for the Edinburg Police Department.
The Hidalgo County Commissioner’s Court has implemented two Auxiliary Courts with a Drug Court Diversion Program to assist with first-time drug offenders. The Division Program supports a rehabilitative process for first-time offenders. If offenders are successful in following through with the Judge’s requirements, he or she is given an opportunity to have the offense diminished or removed from their record. Hidalgo County will use JAG funds to help offset rising court costs due to increasing caseloads.
“The Commissioner’s Court gives first-time offenders an opportunity to get on the right path and seek rehabilitation options,” said Hinojosa. “The grant will help the Court assist these individuals and continue its good work.”
The goal of the Edinburg Police Department is to have a total of 25 mobile operational laptop computers within the department. The mobile laptop units have allowed the police officers to better serve Edinburg, as well as the surrounding cities of McAllen, Pharr, and Hidalgo by quickly locating and apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants. JAG funds will be used to purchase four additional laptops to streamline reporting process and decrease report preparation time.
“Law enforcement agencies have long used technology to streamline and modernize the responsibilities of the job,” continued Hinojosa. “As our first responders, we must ensure that they have the latest technologies to keep our communities safe and to get the job done quickly and effectively. This grant will help the Edinburg Police Department do just that.”
Grant funds will be used to fund administrative expenses and to purchase law enforcement equipment.
The Edward Byrne Memorial JAG program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice in one or more of the following purpose areas:
• Law enforcement programs;
• Prosecution and court programs;
• Prevention and education programs;
• Corrections and community corrections programs;
• Drug treatment programs, and;
• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.