Byrne JAG Grants: Less Than Lethal Weapons

Program Name: Less-Than-Lethal-Weapons
Point of Contact: Captain Stephen Murianka

Program Description

Federal Grant Name: FY 2009 Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program
Programs Supported Through Funding: Less-Than-Lethal-Weapons
Amount Applied For: $1,253,552.00
Funds Awarded: $1,253,552.00
Point(s) of Contact for Project(s):

• Captain Stephen Murianka 215-683-2846

Why Apply for this Grant?

It is crucial that officers have means, other than a firearm, to gain control of a violent situation. Research has demonstrated that citizen’s lives can be saved and officer’s safety improved with less-than-lethal-weapons.

The Police Department started issuing ASPs, a collapsible baton to field personnel in Fiscal Year 2009. Currently there are 1,878 officers trained in the use of the ASP.

This past year the Department also increased the number of Control Electrical Devices CEDs issued to officers. This device sends an electrical charge that helps bring a violent person under control. Our deployment of CEDs is coupled with extensive training on how to work with the mentally ill person who is exhibiting violence toward themselves or others. As a result of this effort, the Department has issued CEDs to 174 officers. In addition, 90 CEDs were issued to sergeants and corporals.

Project Objectives

Given budget cuts in Fiscal Year 2010, we cannot continue the issuing and training of the ASP and CEDs. The requested funding would allow for 2,496 officers to be trained on the ASP and 1,000 officers on the CEDs.

Job Creation

Police Department - 0

 

Byrne JAG Grants: M.O.R.E

Program Name: Mayor’s Office for the Reentry of Ex-Offenders (M.O.R.E.)
Point of Contact: Carolyn Harper

Program Description

Federal Grant Name: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – Training and Workforce Development
Programs Supported Through Funding: The funds will be used to provide customized training in cable installation, basic telecommunications and low-voltage electric.
Amount Applied For: The initial amount applied for was one million eight thousand seven hundred and forty seven dollars ($1,080,747)
Funds Awarded: The grant award is for two hundred forty thousand dollars ($240,000).
Point(s) of Contact for Project(s):

• Point of Contact is Carolyn Harper – 215-685-3381

Why Apply for this Grant?

In addressing the labor market in the City of Philadelphia and conducting research on the fastest growing industries in the area, the research supported the continuous growth of the cable industry and telecommunications in the City. This was particularly highlighted with Comcast Cable being headquartered in Philadelphia and Verizon’s major push on installing FIOS in the Philadelphia area. This information supported the fact that these two industries would create employment opportunities for those who have training and certification in these fields. Additionally we looked at PECO and the need for employees in this field, so we felt that the low-voltage electric training would contribute to employment opportunities in this field as well.

Given this information we selected to train participants in our Managed Reintegration Network (MRN) for employment in these fields. The first year that we implemented this strategy we successfully trained 20 participants who achieved their industry-certification in cable and telecommunications, and all were placed in employment in these fields.

Project Objectives

The project objectives are:
- Customized training for 50 participants in the MRN.
- Industry-recognized certification
- Job placement and job retention
- Case management for successful re-integration back into society
- Life coaching
The grant funds will be used to train 50 M.O.R.E. participants in customized training for cable installation, telecommunications and low-voltage electric. Upon completion of training the participants will take the industry-recognized, national certification exams for certification in the areas of instruction listed above. The participants will also receive wrap-around services that include 100% case management, job readiness training, job placement, job retention support and life coaching.

Job Creation

Based on previous experience, the expectation is that there will be 100% of job placement for those who successfully complete the training and certification process. Our goal is to place the 50 participants who enroll in the training program in training related employment with an anticipated retention rate of 80%.

 

Byrne JAG Grants: Phila. Juvenile Justice System (JJS) Recovery Grant

Program Name: Philadelphia’s Juvenile Justice System (JJS) Recovery Grant
Point of Contact: Matthew Braden

Program Description

Federal Grant Name: Philadelphia’s JJS Recovery Grant
Programs Supported Through Funding: DA’s Office and Defenders Association
Amount Applied For: applied for $670,706
Funds Awarded: awarded $272,278
Point(s) of Contact for Project(s):

• Matthew Braden
• Katherine Lo

Why Apply for this Grant?

Funds available for Juvenile Prosecution and Defense attorneys. Anything additional to help supplement budget cuts is helpful.

Project Objectives

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)/Recovery funds for Prosecution/Defense Capacity building in the Juvenile Justice System. Funds awarded are to cover an Assistant District Attorney position and Public Defender position over a 2 year grant period.

Job Creation

None – funds requested are for retention and prevention.

 

Byrne JAG Grants: Keep Safe Initiative – Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit (FVSAU)

Program Name: Keep Safe Initiative – Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit (FVSAU)
Point of Contact: Matthew Braden

Program Description

Federal Grant Name: Keep Safe Initiative – Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit
Programs Supported Through Funding: DA’s FVSAU
Amount Applied For: $762,751
Funds Awarded: Applied 4-2009, no news
Point(s) of Contact for Project(s):

• Matthew Braden
• Katherine Lo

Why Apply for this Grant?

To retain veteran prosecutors, which are critical to fulfilling the Office’s mission.

Project Objectives/What are your plans for these funds?

The funding requested would allow for the retention of four experienced prosecutors for a two-year period in the DA’s Office Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit. This unit prosecutes sexual assaults of adult victims, sexual and physical assaults against children, and violent felony crimes committed within a family or household.

Job Creation

None – funding is for retention/prevention.

 

Byrne JAG Grants: Keep Safe Initiative – Felony Waiver Unit

Program Name: Keep Safe Initiative – Felony Waiver Unit
Point of Contact: Matthew Braden

Program Description

Federal Grant Name: Keep Safe Initiative – Felony Waiver Unit
Programs Supported Through Funding: DA’s Felony Waiver Unit
Amount Applied For: $507,415
Funds Awarded: Applied 4-2009, no news
Point(s) of Contact for Project(s):

• Matthew Braden
• Katherine Lo

Why Apply for this Grant?

To retain veteran prosecutors, which are critical to fulfilling the Office’s mission.

Project Objectives/What are your plans for these funds?

The funding requested would allow for the retention of three experienced prosecutors over a two-year period. The retention of these prosecutors is needed for the effective prosecution of felony cases. Also, two of the prosecutors retained would be available to staff the Gun Court to more effectively combat the City’s violent firearms-related crimes.

Job Creation

None – funding is for retention/prevention.

 

Byrne JAG Grants: Keep Safe Initiative – Homicide Unit

Program Name: Keep Safe Initiative – Homicide Unit
Point of Contact: Matthew Braden

Program Description

Federal Grant Name: Keep Safe Initiative – Homicide Unit
Programs Supported Through Funding: DA’s Homicide Unit
Amount Applied For: $1,266,017
Funds Awarded: Applied 4-2009, no news
Point(s) of Contact for Project(s):

• Matthew Braden
• Katherine Lo

Why Apply for this Grant?

To retain veteran prosecutors, which are critical to fulfilling the Office’s mission.

Project Objectives/What are your plans for these funds?

The funding requested would allow for the retention of five experienced prosecutors over a two-year period in the DA’s Office Homicide Unit, and to maintain the felony conviction rate (over 90%) of Philadelphia homicide defendants.

Job Creation

None – funding is for retention/prevention.n.