WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has announced that the Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded $50,506 under the FY 08 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County. This money will be used to support multiple law enforcement initiatives including the establishment of a database that will house intelligence related information retrieved from multiple sources and a part-time employee who will assist in the retrieval of firearms that were licensed to people who are now deceased.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. The City of Syracuse and Onondaga County will utilize the funds to support separate initiatives.

The city, through the police department, will apply its share towards a database that will house intelligence related information retrieved from multiple sources that includes officer information, gang informants, and anonymous tips. Once in operation, the system will be available to law enforcement agencies within Onondaga County and the state police for use in on-going cases.

The county, through the Sheriff’s Department, will use funds to support a part-time employee who will assist in retrieving firearms that were licensed to people who are now deceased. The project aims to retrieve weapons before they are lost, stolen, or unlawfully disposed of.

For the purpose of grant administration, the city police department has been designated as the fiscal agent of this award and will be responsible for its general management and oversight. JAG grants can also be used for technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for programs throughout the city. These programs include law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, corrections and community corrections program, drug treatment programs, and crime victim and witness programs