(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced that nearly $5 million in federal Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) have been awarded to help communities prevent and control crime.
The annual grants support the crime prevention work of law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, corrections facilities, crime victim and witness initiatives, and others.
“Local communities all have varying needs when it comes to combatting crime, and these grants are tailored to support crime prevention initiatives that will make the most difference in each community,” said Governor DeWine.
In total, 149 projects were funded in 57 counties. The grants are administered by the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS).
JAG funds may be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, strategic planning, research and evaluation (including forensics), data collection, training, personnel, equipment, forensic laboratories, supplies, contractual support, and criminal justice information systems.
The competitive grant process solicited grant proposals from state agencies, non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, and other criminal justice-related agencies from throughout the state.
JAG funds are designed as seed money to establish new and promising programs that improve the criminal justice system. For a complete list of agencies receiving grants and the amounts, please visit: https://ocjs.ohio.gov/static/links/JAG-grants-funded-projects.pdf.
By statute, OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year. OCJS also evaluates programs and develops technology, training, and products for criminal justice professionals and communities.