U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer has announced that the City of Utica will receive a grant totaling $39,493 from the Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

Specifically, Utica will use this funding to increase supervision of offenders sentenced to electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration, purchase law enforcement equipment, and support police and probation officer overtime expenses.

"Keeping our communities safe is job number one. This investment will help the City of Utica utilize state-of-the-art electronic monitoring which allows for more efficient use of law enforcement personnel,” said Schumer. “I am pleased such an important federal investment is being made in the City of Utica and that our officers will have access to the best equipment available to keep our communities safe.”

“Senator Schumer knows all too well that during these fiscal times, funds like this pump money into our department we’d otherwise be without. Thanks to Senator Schumer, our applications are always reviewed in a timely manner and we’re always confident he’s going to bat for us,” said Utica Police Chief, Mark Williams.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions.

Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).