The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office was recently approved to receive a 2011 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance.  The focus of the proposed project is the purchase and deployment of equipment to enhance law enforcement programs.

The approved grant amount of $31,178 will provide equipment for digital recording and communications for our two new motorcycle units. The new video cameras will equip the motorcycles with the same digital recording capabilities as other patrol vehicles.  The two motorcycle-capable mobile radios will provide greater radio coverage, enhancing communications interoperability and officer safety.

The grant will also provide for an 800 mhz mobile repeater to improve communications interoperability and provide system redundancy.  

Administrative costs of approximately five percent are also budgeted in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices for administrative and clerical expenses.  

The project specifically targets Communications, Crime Prevention, Equipment (general), Equipment—Video/Audio Recording, and Officer Safety. 

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, according to the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance.  The program furthers the Department’s mission by assisting state, local, and tribal efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence.

We appreciate the opportunity to participate in the Justice Assistance Grant program, as it allows us to provide vital equipment to deputies in these challenging economic times. We look forward to utilizing the equipment to improve communications interoperability and enhance our traffic enforcement capabilities.