MPD applies for JAG grant

Milford Police Department is applying for the Edward R. Byrne Memorial grant

Milford Police Department notified City Council that they were applying for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), a requirement under the application process. The department has applied for and received the grant in previous years.

“The grant itself, the JAG program, is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding for eligible state and local jurisdictions, supporting a wide range of crime prevention and intervention activities based on need,” Captain David Wells of the Milford Police Department explained to council.

Captain Wells stated that the grant could bring over $19,000 to the city police department although there were no plans for the funding if it was awarded at this time.

“Don’t you usually have to come up with a use before submitting for a grant?” Councilman Andy Fulton asked.

According to Captain Wells, this grant has certain guidelines for what the money could be used toward and that it was not final until August 31.

The grant is named for Officer Edward R. Byrne, a New York City police officer who joined that force in 1987 after serving with the New York City Transit Authority. In the early morning hours of February 26, 1988, Officer Byrne was protecting a witness who was to testify against local drug dealers. Two armed gunmen crept up to his car on both sides and, while one tapped on the window to distract Officer Byrne, the other opened fire, shooting the officer five times. Officer Byrne died of his injuries at only 22 years old. The perpetrators were captured and sentenced to 25 years to life. In his memory, the Bureau of Justice Assistance administers the Byrne award to communities nationwide.

The JAG program provides critical funding to support law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention, education and more.