Homestead Gang Reduction Initiative

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) 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 for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The city of Homestead will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $27,623 to provide funding to the police department to aggressively reduce gang-related crimes and firearms used during these crimes. The Homestead Police Department will increase gang-related investigations that will result in the arrest and prosecution of offenders. Investigations will continue to be conducted in coordination with the Miami Dade Police Department, FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Miami Dade County School Board Police. The department will the use the JAG funds for overtime for three detectives to work 16 hours per month on gang-related cases. These detectives will analyze crime data, police reports, and local 'tagging' and work with informants to identify the gang structure and upcoming activities. Surveillance will be conducted in high crime areas where gang activity has been reported. Information will be shared with partner agencies to develop a coordinated response to gang-related crimes.

NCA/NCF