Birmingham, AL - Today, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced $447,376 in JAG Grant funding to four cities in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District from the United States Department of Justice. This funding is a part of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, which provides critical criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions across the country. 

“I am pleased to announce this round of DOJ JAG Grant funding for the cities of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Fairfield, and Selma,” said Rep. Sewell. “As a result of an increased strain on already scarce resources, many of our municipalities have gone without funding  to implement necessary criminal justice reform. Police play a critical role in our communities, and this funding is instrumental in addressing crime within our district by providing these cities the opportunity to diversify their policing efforts to better serve our communities.”

Background:

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the JAG Program provides states, territories, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement; prosecution and court; prevention and education; corrections and community corrections; drug treatment and enforcement; planning, evaluation, and technology improvement; crime victim and witness initiatives; and mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams. 

JAG Grant Recipients in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District:

• City of Birmingham, Alabama             $353, 899
• City of Fairfield, Alabama                   $16,959
• City of Selma, Alabama                       $18,406
• City of Tuscaloosa, Alabama               $58,112

“Birmingham is honored to be a recipient of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, which will be an incredible asset in our commitment to improving public safety,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “These funds will go a long way in ensuring we have the resources to safely and effectively make lasting change. Many thanks to Congresswoman Terri Sewell for advocating for our communities and for understanding the importance of investing in both prevention and education.”

“On behalf of the City of Fairfield, I am pleased to offer our appreciation for your support of our Department of Justice's Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant award to obtain surveillance cameras for help in our policing efforts,” said Fairfiled Mayor Eddie Penny. “This grant will help the City of Fairfield enhance the crime protection in our neighborhoods for our citizens and reduce the violence in our community. It is unfortunate that Fairfiled’s crime rates have increased and are tremendously higher compared to other Alabama cities our size.”

“The City of Fairfield’s Police Department will use these surveillance cameras for help with this reduction of crime and will have the needed video evidence to solve criminal activity,” continued Mayor Penny. “The addition of surveillance cameras will help reduce inaccuracies and discrepancies in reporting, providing video evidence and bridge the trust barrier between the police department and the community to make Fairfield safer.”

“The City of Tuscaloosa is honored to be awarded the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant,“ said Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox. “This grant will give the Tuscaloosa Police Department the opportunity to purchase an additional patrol vehicle that will enable our brave men and women to continue to keep our community safe.”

The Selma Police Department through the Office of Planning & Development has been awarded a Department of Justice, Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the City’s 2021-2022 Bullseye Extension Program. Funds in the amount of $18,406 will be made available through the grant program and used to dispatch police resources in targeted high crime areas by paying off-duty police officers to work overtime in an effort to be proactive.

“The city is thankful for the ongoing relationship between the Department of Justice and Selma Police Department,” said Selma Mayor James Perkins, Jr. “Any resources that will aid in crime prevention and more patrols is a win for Selma. Once again, thank you to Congresswoman Terri Sewell for the work you do for the City of Selma at the federal level.”

“The funds from the JAG grant allows the SPD to offer additional paid overtime to officers as they respond to citizen complaints and protect the communities of Selma,” said Selma Police Department Chief Kenta Fulford.