Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program Purpose Areas

Through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) Program, BJA provides funds to units of local government to underwrite projects to reduce crime and improve public safety. LLEBG funds must be spent in the following purpose areas:

(1) Supporting law enforcement.

• Hiring, training, and employing on a continuous basis new, additional law enforcement officers and necessary support personnel.

• Paying overtime to employed law enforcement officers and necessary support personnel to increase the number of hours worked by such personnel.

• Procuring equipment, technology, and other materials directly related to basic law enforcement functions.

(2) Enhancing security measures in and around schools and other facilities or locations that the unit of local government considers to be at risk for incidents of crime.

(3) Establishing or supporting drug courts.

(4) Enhancing the adjudication of cases involving violent offenders, including cases involving violent juvenile offenders.

(5) Establishing a multijurisdictional task force, particularly in rural areas, composed of law enforcement officials representing units of local government. These task forces must work with federal law enforcement officials to prevent and control crime.

(6) Establishing cooperative crime prevention programs between community residents and law enforcement personnel to control, detect, or investigate crime or to prosecute criminals.

(7) Defraying the cost of indemnification insurance for law enforcement officers.

LLEBG funds may not be used to purchase, lease, rent, or acquire tanks or armored vehicles, fixed-wing aircraft, limousines, real estate, yachts, or any vehicle not used primarily for law enforcement. Funds are not to be used to retain consultants. Construction of new facilities is also prohibited. In addition, federal funds may not be used to supplant state or local funds; they must be used to increase the amount of funds that would otherwise be available from state and local sources.