2022/07/27 Council Agenda Packet

or in conjunction with support for technology, BJA encourages SLTT agencies to address backlogs by instituting triage and other case -processing improvements, including diversion practices, by prosecutors and courts pretrial, as well as the implementation of legal and nonlegal navigators to guide and support defendants through the legal process. Crime Analysis and Investigation: With the recent increases in violent crime, crime analysis and investigations have become increasingly vital. Law enforcement agencies that have robust analysis capabilities are better able to focus their limited resources in ways that directly improve public safety while protecting the rights of civilians. According to the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA), "Crime analysis is both a profession and a set of techniques." The professionals who perform crime analysis, and the techniques they use, are dedicated to helping law enforcement agencies become more effective through the use of relevant metrics, information, and analytical practices. This past year, ransomware has emerged as an international challenge affecting public sectors, private sectors, and even individuals. According to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Alert (AA22-040A), "ransomware tactics and techniques continued to evolve in 2021, which demonstrates ransomware threat actors' growing technological sophistication and an increased ransomware threat to organizations globally." To combat this growing threat, DOJ, DHS, and other federal partners have launched a centralized repository of resources for organizations and individuals at StopRansomware.gov. This is a collaborative effort across the federal government and is the first joint website created to help private and public organizations mitigate their ransomware risk. BJA encourages JAG recipients to utilize funds to support crime analysis efforts, including the hiring of cybercrime analysts and investigators, as well as cybercrime training for state or local law enforcement and emergency dispatch personnel. Recipients utilizing grant funds to support technological devices, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and other data -driven solutions ("Technological enhancements") directly should ensure those projects address the tenants of digital trust to include: how the technology will be carefully implemented through training of personnel and the setting and enforcement of policies governing its use to ensure that it contributes to positive outcomes for public safety, the community and/or the criminal justice system; and how the recipient will safeguard privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties throughout the duration of the project period. Additional Uses of JAG Funds JAG funds awarded under this FY 2022 solicitation may be used to: • Enforce state and local laws that establish offenses similar to offenses established in 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. and/or improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, with emphasis on violent crime and serious offenses, by providing additional personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for the more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of persons who violate these laws and assist the victims of such crimes (other than compensation). • Support projects related to preventing, detecting, seizing, and/or stopping the presence and use of contraband cellphones within correctional facilities. This includes the purchasing of managed access systems and other mitigation technologies (as permitted by applicable law). • Purchase fentanyl and methamphetamine detection equipment, including handheld instruments and training for law enforcement safety, as well as opioid reversal agents. • Purchase drug -detection canines to combat the rise in drug trafficking, including that of methamphetamines. • Support efforts to seal and expunge criminal history information in accordance with state laws and policies. • Support efforts to attract and retain an all-inclusive, diverse, expert, and accountable law enforcement workforce. • Support virtual reality de-escalation training. • Purchase humane remote restraint devices that enable law enforcement to restrain an uncooperative subject without requiring the infliction of pain. • Purchase gunfire detection technology. • Additionally, JAG funds awarded under this FY 2022 solicitation may be used for any purpose indicated here: Purposes for Which Funds Awarded under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) Program May Be Used (ojp.gov). Page 9 of 23 O-BJA-2022-171368