2007 Archive
December 2007
BJA and the Center for Court Innovation Promote Problem-Solving Justice
As part of BJA's Community-Based Problem-Solving Criminal Justice Initiative,
the Center for Court Innovation recently launched a web-based resource to help practitioners broaden the scope of problem-solving courts by testing
problem-solving approaches with wider defendant populations and applying key problem-solving principles (e.g., links to social services, rigorous judicial
monitoring, aggressive community outreach) outside of the problem-solving court context. Fact sheets, practitioner monographs, sample documents, and other
helpful resources are available at www.problemsolvingjustice.org.
Prosecution of Prison Rape
With support from BJA, the National District Attorneys Association's National Center for the Prosecution of Violence Against Women (NCPVAW), in collaboration with the
National Judicial College, has created two resources for prosecutors. The Prosecution of Prison Rape and the Prison Rape Elimination Act: A Model Curriculum for
Prosecutors contains videos, a PowerPoint, and corresponding faculty manual to facilitate training on the prosecution of prison rape. The Prosecution of Prison Rape:
The Prison Rape Elimination Act CD-ROM is designed to teach prosecutors how to prepare and prosecute prison rape cases. For more information, visit
NDAA's web site or contact
NCPVAW.
November 2007
BJA's 2008 Regional Training Series
BJA invites you to join colleagues from your region to learn the latest on key issues in law enforcement and criminal justice at
BJA's 2008 Regional Training Series. The South Region conference will take place in Atlanta, GA on March 11-13, 2008.
Public Comments Sought on Draft Flu Vaccine Allocation Plan
Effective allocation of vaccines will play a critical role in preventing influenza and reducing its effects on health and society when a pandemic arrives.
Public input is sought on the Draft Guidance on Allocating and Targeting Pandemic Influenza Vaccine,
and comments are due on or before December 31, 2007.
October 2007
National Strategy for Information Sharing
On October 31, the White House announced the release of the National Strategy for Information Sharing.
The Strategy sets forth a plan to build upon the progress made in improving information sharing since the September 11 attacks and establishes an integrated
national information sharing capability. It was developed using a collaborative process and based on significant input provided by members of the
Federal Information Sharing Council, as well as state, local, tribal, and private sector officials from across the nation.
Learning from Failure
Learning from failure was the topic of a roundtable discussion sponsored by the Center for Court Innovation and BJA. The roundtable brought together police chiefs,
probation officials, prosecutors, judges, and defense attorneys from across the country to discuss lessons they have learned from projects that did not succeed.
The message from the gathering was that these lessons can be just as helpful as best practices in nurturing effective justice programs.
(Report on Failure,
Roundtable Transcript, or Failure web page)
Repaying Debts
The Council of State Governments Justice Center has released a report on the financial obligations of people released from prisons and jails, which was
developed with the support of BJA. The report includes recommendations to help policymakers increase accountability among people who
commit crimes, improve rates of child support collection and victim restitution, and make people’s transition from prisons and jails to the community safe and
successful. (Summary or Full Report)
September 2007
Adult Drug Court Training
The Drug Court Planning Initiative is now accepting applications for enrollment in the Adult Drug Court Planning Initiative. Register at http://dcpi.ncjrs.gov/dcpi/index.html.
August 2007
Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT)
BJA has partnered with Texas State University to fund its ALERRT
initiative for campus, school, local, and tribal law enforcement nationwide.
ALERRT Active Shooter Response training is specifically designed to provide
law enforcement agencies with training to effectively and safely respond to
active shooter events—and help save lives.
A 40-hour Train-the-Trainer Active Shooter training has already been provided in nine locations
to instruct law enforcement trainers on the delivery
of the basic Active Shooter course. For details on future training opportunities, please contact Lon McDougal, BJA Policy Advisor, at 202-307-3678
or Lonnie.R.Mcdougal@usdoj.gov, or visit www.alerrt.com to register.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs' Effectiveness
The Research and Policy Analysis Group of Carnevale Associates has released its latest Information Brief detailing the effectiveness of
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.
Jail Issues and Challenges
The Center for Innovative Public Policies, in partnership with BJA, the National Institute of Corrections, and national organizations, conducted two focus groups
to identify the major issues facing jails today and in the immediate future. The report from the focus groups,
Jail Leaders Speak: Current and Future Challenges to Jail Administration and Operations,
is now available (Report,
Appendices, or White Papers).
User Account Consolidation
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has announced that you can now consolidate Grants Management System (GMS) user accounts for applications submitted via
the Grants.gov web site. View the PowerPoint presentation or the text instructions.
July 2007
Officer Edward R. Byrne
Read about Officer Edward R. Byrne, for whom BJA's Justice Assistance Grant Program is named.
Building An Offender Reentry Program: A Guide for Law Enforcement
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), in partnership with BJA, has produced a new resource guide entitled,
Building An Offender Reentry Program: A Guide for Law Enforcement. Through law enforcement-involved program profiles, the guide
presents key strategies, components, and results of law enforcement participation in offender reentry efforts.
Community Partnerships for Victim Services
In preparation for the 24th Annual National Night Out, the Office for Victims of Crime
(OVC), in partnership with BJA and the Community Capacity
Development Office (CCDO), will present a Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for community- and
criminal justice-based partnerships in victim services. Join Lt. Donald Priddy, night watch patrol commander of the Carbondale, Illinois, Police Department and
former supervisor of the Community Services Unit, on August 1, 2007, at 2 p.m. (eastern time) for the live discussion.
FY 2007 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Application Period Extension
BJA has extended the FY 2007 JAG application period for local jurisdictions. The Grants Management System (GMS) will open on Tuesday, July 17, at 8:00 a.m. EST
and will close on Thursday, July 19, at 8:00 p.m. EST. To determine if you are eligible, please review the FY 2007 JAG Allocations List.
Only jurisdictions listed on the Allocations List will be allowed to submit an application. For further information, please see the FY 2007 Local JAG Solicitation
and the Frequently Asked Questions on the JAG web page.
June 2007
McGruff®’s 2007 Crime Prevention Awards of Excellence
In celebration of October as Crime Prevention Month, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) has announced the call for nominations for
McGruff®'s 2007 Crime Prevention Awards of Excellence. The awards are presented to recognize individuals and agencies doing extraordinary things to prevent crime and create safer
and more caring communities. All nominations must be received at NCPC by 5:00 p.m. EST on August 15, 2007. Awardees will be announced at the 8th National Conference
on Preventing Crime, which takes place in Atlanta, GA, during the first week in October.
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System
Is your state protecting you from vehicle title fraud, auto theft, VIN cloning, and other vehicle crimes and threats? BJA and the Federal Bureau of Investigations'
Major Theft Unit have partnered with other organizations in law enforcement and consumer protection to make the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS)
a reality, with all 50 states participating. NMVTIS is a DOJ information system designed to provide states with the ability and reliably verify the titling, theft,
and damage history of a motor vehicle before a new title is issued. 
Grants.Gov: Expect Slower Application Processing Times During the Week of June 4, 2007
Grants.gov has notified OJP that there will be a high volume of applications submitted through Grants.gov during the week of June 4th due to multiple agency closings.
As a result, the time for processing applications may be longer than usual. To avoid any processing delays, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their
applications in advance of the solicitation closing period, and to avoid the times of peak volume (late afternoon/evening hours). Remember that it may take up to 48
hours for your submission to be processed through Grants.gov. Please wait 48 hours before contacting the contact center if you do not receive e-mail notifications.
Also, please allow applications to complete processing prior to submitting Changed/Corrected applications. For further information, please visit
Grants.Gov FAQs or the Track Your
Application page. For more detailed information, please visit the “What’s New” announcements section of
www.grants.gov.
Identity Theft Workshop
OJP's Office for Victims of Crime is sponsoring a training workshop, "Identity Theft: Supporting Victims' Emotional and Financial Recovery," on June 26-27, 2007 in
Tampa, Florida. This workshop will help advocates learn how to assist victims in self-advocacy and how and when to intervene effectively in the recovery process.
To register, call OVC's Training and Technical Assistance Center at 1-866-682-8822. The registration deadline is June 8.
VIPS Program: Five Year Anniversary and New Resources
The national Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program celebrated its fifth anniversary on May 30, 2007. In conjunction with the anniversary, the VIPS Program
has redesigned and added new interactive features to its web site. The VIPS Program has also released
Five Years of the National VIPS Program, a video, available on the web site, that celebrates the success and growth of the national VIPS Program and its
impact on law enforcement.
May 2007
Closed-Circuit Testimony Conference
BJA and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, in collaboration with the American Bar Association, are sponsoring "Through a
Child's Eyes: Use of Closed-Circuit Testimony & Recorded Statements of Children," a conference for criminal justice professionals to share information on model
programs and learn about the associated technology. The conference will be August 23-24, 2007 in Arlington, VA.
April 2007
Combating Identity Theft: A Strategic Plan
On April 23, 2007, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras announced the release of the President's
Identity Theft Task Force report Combating Identity Theft: A Strategic Plan. The reports contains recommendations
designed to strengthen the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; educate consumers and businesses on deterring, detecting, and defending
against identity theft; assist law enforcement officers in apprehending and prosecuting identity thieves; and increase the safeguards employed by federal agencies
and the private sector with respect to the personal data with which they are entrusted.
IACP School Violence Resources
In his message regarding the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech University, the President of the International Association of Chief's of Police (IACP) announced that IACP
has recently consolidated all of its publications and materials related to school violence into a single, easily accessible page on the IACP web site.
The information is applicable to educational institutions at all levels of learning.
School Safety
BJA and its national partners including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), the National Sheriffs'
Association (NSA), and the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) remain committed to designing and delivering critical resources
to help keep America's schools and college campuses safe environments for learning. To access resources on key school and campus safety issues, see the following links:
National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC):
- Be Safe and Sound Campaign is a public education campaign that seeks to raise awareness of
school safety and security issues and provide concrete measures that parents, community members, and educators can take to make schools safer and more secure.
- The School Safety and Needs Assessment workshop introduces safe schools planning and provide
tools for identifying safety and security issues, developing a comprehensive action plan, and engaging parents, students, school administrators, and
community leaders in the process of making schools safer.
- Neighborhood and community groups can work with law enforcement and others to solve local problems by using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
(CPTED), a tested approach that links crime and its prevention to the design and condition of the physical environment.
- PowerPoint presentations designed to provide expert training to crime prevention practitioners.
- General guidance on school safety in schools.
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP):
National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)
Coming Soon: Campus Crime Prevention Training:
NCPC and BJA, in cooperation with IACLEA, have designed a crime prevention training for college and university campus law enforcement officials
and crime prevention practitioners. For details on this three-day training, which includes a section on addressing and preventing violent crime and assaults
on America's campuses, contact Paul Steiner, BJA Senior Policy Advisor for Crime Prevention, at 202-616-3630.
Other resources are available via the National Criminal Justice Reference Services (NCJRS).
Important Progress Reporting Announcement for BJA Grant Recipients
AG Announces President's Volunteer Service Award
On April 20, Attorney General Gonzales presented the President's Volunteer Service Award to three volunteers from the Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Department
who have been active members of the Fairfax County Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program.
ABA Center on Children and the Law Grant Announcement
The American Bar Association (ABA) Center on Children and the Law is pleased to announce the release of the FY 2007 grant announcement for the Closed-Circuit Television
and Recording Technology for Use in Child Abuse Cases Program. Applications are due May 18, 2007. For more information, e-mail cctv@staff.abanet.org.
Web-based Profiles for Mental Health Courts
The Council of State Governments Justice Center announced the availability of detailed, web-based profiles for approximately 150 mental health courts and 100
specialized police-based responses to people with mental illnesses. The program profiles are part of the Criminal Justice/Mental Health Information Network (InfoNet),
a free web-based database that inventories collaborative criminal justice/mental health programs across the country. The profiles are drawn from information
obtained through comprehensive surveys, developed with assistance from the National GAINS Center, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Police Executive Research Forum.
National Center for Trauma-Informed Care Launches New Web Site
The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC), an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, has launched its new web site.
Trauma is now understood to be an almost universal experience of crime victim, substance abuse, mental health, and many other health and social service consumers. The need to address trauma has been increasingly recognized as essential for the growth and recovery of survivors of all types of violence and trauma. The new NCTIC web site is designed to help publicly funded health and human service systems integrate trauma-informed approaches and interventions into their programs to improve efficacy and outcomes.
March 2007
Cyberbullying
The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), in partnership with BJA and the Ad Council, launched a public awareness campaign on cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying happens when teens use the Internet, cell phones, or other technology to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.
Forty-three percent of teens report that they have experienced some form of cyberbullying, and more than half of teen girls report being victimized.
This campaign targets early teen-aged girls and uses the traditional media of radio, TV, and press releases, as well as web banners, and viral videos.
To learn more about the new campaign and cyberbullying, visit the NCPC web site.
Pandemic Emergency Preparedness Planning
Of the many scenarios that may have a tremendous impact on the administration of justice, one of the least studied or planned for is that of a pandemic.
To address this issue, BJA and American University partnered to develop Guidelines for Pandemic Emergency Preparedness Planning: A Road Map for Courts.
This “road map” suggests some of the potential impacts a pandemic outbreak may have on the court’s operation and mission and presents some approaches the
court might consider when planning for the worst.
February 2007
Conducted Energy Devices
The Police Executive Research Forum, with funding from DOJ's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and support of BJA and DOJ's Less Lethal Technology Working Group,
has developed Conducted Energy Devices (CED): Development of Standards for Consistency and Guidance, which includes a glossary of CED terms, along with recommended national policy guidelines to help law enforcement develop clear, consistent policies and
make informed judgments about how and when to use CEDs to protect themselves and the public. The report presents the terms and guidelines, describes CEDs and
how they work, relates some of the concerns that have arisen about the devices, and summarizes related research.
January 2007
Law Enforcement Volunteer Programs Award
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Science Applications International Corporation are now accepting applications for the 2007 Outstanding
Achievement in Law Enforcement Volunteer Programs Award. Volunteer programs that demonstrate innovative, effective practices for augmenting sworn or civilian staff
and improving service delivery to their communities are encouraged to apply. Applications must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2007. For more information,
visit IACP's web site.
Neighborhood Watch Awards of Excellence
The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), in partnership with BJA, is accepting nominations for the 4th Annual National Neighborhood Watch Awards of Excellence
to be presented during the General Session of the 2007 National Sheriffs’ Association Conference to be held in June 2007 in Salt Lake City, UT. All law
enforcement agencies and Neighborhood Watch groups, organizations, and/or programs that have made an exceptional contribution to the Neighborhood Watch program
in their communities are encouraged to submit nominations to NSA by March 31, 2007. For complete information on eligibility, criteria,
and nomination forms, visit the Neighborhood Watch Web Site.
PDMP Evaluation
In partnership with BJA, Simeone Associates released An Evaluation of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, which examines the effects of such programs on the
supply and abuse of prescription drugs. At the time of the study, 20 states had implemented and 23 states were in the process or designing or planning systems to
monitor the prescription and sale of drugs identified as controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (Executive Summary)
Deterring Copper and Aluminum Theft
Law enforcement agencies now have access to a new tool to deter and help solve metal theft cases. Metal theft, especially theft of copper and aluminum, has risen in
tandem with the near-record commodity prices for metals. In response, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) developed the online Theft Alert System, which is able
to send e-mail notifications to scrap dealers about materials thefts reported by law enforcement agencies. BJA facilitated a partnership between ISRI and the
National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) to address this growing theft problem, and ISRI is now a Crime Prevention Coalition of America member. For more information,
visit the ISRI web site.
Big Ideas for Smaller Police Departments
Read the latest Big Ideas for Smaller Police Departments newsletter, a quarterly publication of the International Association of Chiefs of Police,
which focuses on the concerns of smaller law enforcement agencies.
Center for Mental Health Services Solicitations
The Center for Mental Health Services is soliciting applications for the FY 2007 Targeted
Capacity Expansion (TCE) for Jail Diversion Program. The deadline for applications is March 27, 2007. To view the grant solicitation, click here.
2006 Archive
