LARIAT (LESA Accelerated Response using Integrated Analysis and Technology)

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

Under category 1, the city of Tacoma will use the grant award to continue comprehensive community-based, data-driven approaches to prevent and reduce violent crime. The city's Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA) is responsible for providing integrated 911 communications, records management, and information technology for a consortium of 15 local and federal agencies. The city of Tacoma, through LESA, has established the following objectives: 1) perform comprehensive community-based, data-driven crime analysis and intervention in real time, (thereby delivering suspect identification and location information to officers in route to violent crime incidents); 2) use community-based partnerships to apprehend criminals before they victimize others; 3) interdict chronic violent crime perpetrators and shut down the locations they operate from; 4) equip specific violent crime victim groups and communities (e.g., domestic violence) with sophisticated real time alarm and alert tools so they can summon immediate police intervention; and 5) enable 911 centers to 'data sift' in real time. The city, through LESA, will: hire two crime analysts, seven tactical analysis coordinators, and one program coordinator; establish a center in existing 911 Communications Center, complete with recognition (license plate, facial, and gunshot) and data mining and sharing capabilities; partner with community action groups, such as the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, Safe Streets, local businesses, and citizens to exchange video and text; establish a real time, shared database for tips and information exchange on recurring, chronic, and violent crime; reduce violent crime; and increase violent crime arrests.

CA/NCF