State of Georgia's
Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grant Program
Annual Report For July 1, 2006- June 30, 2007
104 Marietta Street - - Suite 440 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2743 404-657-1956
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. ......6
EVALUATION PLAN AND ACTIVITIES ................................................................... 10
SECTION 1: DEMAND REDUCTION EDUCATION - PURPOSE AREA 1 ....................................11 1.1: School Resource Officer (S.R.O.) ........................................................................... 11
SECTION 2: MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCES - PURPOSE AREA 2.......................... ...12 2.1: Locally Implemented Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces .............................................. 13 2.2: State Drug Task Force (SDTF)................................................................................ 14 2.3: State Drug Enforcement Training Program .............................................................. 16 2.4: K-9 Resource Teams ............................................................................................ 18
SECTION 3: IMPROVE THE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT- PURPOSE AREA 7A ....................................................................................... 20
3.1: Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Law Enforcement Certification Exam ........................................................................ 20
SECTION 4: PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE CORRECTIONS SYSTEMS - PURPOSE AREA 11 ...... 21 4.1: Lighthouse Missions Reentry Program ....................................................................21
SECTION 5: CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS - PURPOSE AREA 15B ............ 22 5.1: GCIC Audit Program ........................................................................................... 22
SECTION 6: INOVATIVE APPROACHES TO DRUG OFFENSES AND SERIOUS CRIMES PURPOSE AREA 16 ....................................................................................... 23
6.1: Fulton County District Attorney's Office Reentry Partnership Initiative............................23
SECTION 7: ALTERNATIVES TO PREVENT DETENTION, JAIL AND PRISON - PURPOSE AREA 20 ........................................................................................ 25
7.1: Drug Courts........................................................................................................25 7.2: Pilot Mental Health Diversion Court Program/ Department of Corrections ........................29
SECTION 8: ANTI-TERRORISM TRAINING PROGRAMS- PURPOSE AREA 26.....................31
8.1: Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center- One State Project.............................. 31 8.2: Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange Program (GILEE)..................................33
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SECTION 9: ENFORCING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LAWS- PURPOSE AREA 28......................................................................................... 34
9.1:Forsyth County Cyber Crime Unit ............................................................................... 34
APPENDIX A: CJRI Plan.................................................................................................... 36
ATTACHMENT A: CJRI Subcommittee Members................................................................... 49
APPENDIX B: Drug Value Chart.......................................................................................... 51
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (Council) has been designated by the Governor to be the
State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne/JAG). SAA operations in Georgia are
supported, in part, by administrative funds originating from the federal grant. The Council operates as a medium for the development and execution of statewide approaches to the prevention of violence and drug abuse. In this capacity, the agency identifies the nature and scope of crime, recommends policies intended to marshal the State's resources in response to crime, and coordinates state and community strategies that are implemented to address crime problems. Conscious of the importance of public safety, the Council promotes safe and healthy Georgia communities by convening diverse groups of affected persons, facilitating the productive exchange of ideas on crime control, and providing the funds necessary to implement successful projects.
Criminal justice resources play an invaluable part in assisting local and state government entities with countering the growing burden of crime in Georgia. During the 2006 Grant Year, the Council worked with state and local government to combat the drug and violent crime problem faced by communities throughout the state. Over the past year, cooperation from these communities produced results in many areas with the help of the Byrne/JAG Grant Program and other federal and non-federal funding sources.
Specific goals have been identified and funding allocations have been established based on program areas that are considered to have the highest priority. Georgia received $5,594,288 from the Byrne/JAG 2006 award to the state and funded more than 100 projects in 8 of the 29 Byrne Purpose Areas. These included cooperative projects such as multi-jurisdictional drug task forces, regional K-9 projects, criminal justice records improvement projects and offender reentry programs.
There are five areas of Georgia's criminal justice system in which improvement has occurred to facilitate the state's ability to combat drug and violent crime:
Law Enforcement 5,594 drug arrests culminated in drugs being seized in a value of approximately $49.3 million from local multi-jurisdictional projects.
Three regional K-9 teams conducted 9,963 searches for narcotics, firearms, and explosives. Searches were executed for local, state and federal agencies, as well as for other public and private organizations such as schools and civic groups.
2,529 law enforcement officers were trained in more than 100 different classes offered by the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) through its Drug Enforcement Training Program.
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A cooperative investigative effort led by the GBI's State Drug Task Force resulted in an inter-state drug enforcement effort with Alabama that received national recognition.
Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC) is Georgia's Homeland Security state-level fusion intelligence center. The Center expanded its "Southern Shield" initiative and widened the focus for intelligence integration in the region by coordinating with 12 other states within the southeast on intelligence collection and dissemination.
Courts
Funding to select drug courts throughout Georgia was maintained during the Byrne/JAG Grant Year. Nine drug court programs are operational and funding has been dedicated to their continued support. In addition, funding was continued to support the Mental Health Court Diversion Program which included the collaboration of a Superior Court Judge, Assistant District Attorney, Public Defender, and case management staff.
Corrections During the Grant Year, the Council allocated funding for the Fulton County District Attorney's Office Reentry Initiative Project. The program was initiated in 2004 to address the challenges faced by parolees during transition from prison back to the community, including: shelter, family re-integration, and mental health support.
Prevention, Education, and Treatment School Resource Officers (SROs) responded to 68 complaints, affected 74 arrests, issued nine traffic citations, six trespass warnings, and provided 15 instances of assistance to law enforcement agencies.
Criminal Justice Records Improvement 1,158 audits of local law enforcement agencies were conducted to evaluate compliance with the regulations applicable to criminal justice records systems. This effort resulted in the collection of more than 10,448 delinquent criminal dispositions.
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Introduction
Report Purpose
The purpose of this annual report is to provide information to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) on Byrne/JAG Grant Program expenditures and project performance. The Byrne/JAG Program is designed to increase the effectiveness and enhance the capabilities of state and local criminal justice practitioners in their efforts to control drugs and crime.
Byrne/JAG Grant
The Byrne/JAG Grant was administered by the Council during the July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 grant period. Subgrantees are awarded funds in a yearly competitive grant application process for programs supporting the areas of greatest need determined in the previous year's strategy.
Program Priorities Articulated in the State Strategy
The Multi-year Statewide Drug and Violent Crime Control Strategy described and prioritized areas of greatest need. Efforts made during the 2006 Grant Cycle to address these needs are listed below:
Areas of Greatest Need in Georgia
The varied and continuous successes of the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Forces (MJTFs) in Georgia demonstrate that local authorities in small, rural counties can work together effectively to combat illegal drug activity. Regional intelligence coordination to resolve conflict and facilitate exchanges.
The three regional K-9 teams provide bomb threat responses, drug and safety searches in public schools, and canine tracking of suspects outside of metro Atlanta.
2006 Grant Cycle Efforts
Approximately 64% of Byrne/JAG funds were used to support multi-jurisdictional drug task forces. 200 MJTF personnel serve over 90 counties in 23 task forces in rural Georgia. These units are the primary drug enforcement in rural areas of the state.
Funding was continued for the State Drug Task Force supported by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Regional Offices and Regional Drug Enforcement Offices.
Funding was continued for the operation of regional K-9 Units.
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Areas of Greatest Need in Georgia Improved coordination of law enforcement intelligence among federal, state and local agencies.
The accuracy and completeness of criminal justice records. Criminal history records indexed to single and multi-state offenders enable law enforcement agencies to prevent the sale of firearms to prohibited persons, properly register and publicly list violent sexual offenders, and protect Georgia's children from child abusers.
Diversion programs for drug addicted adult offenders (e.g. drug courts, RSAT, etc.) and other special populations.
2006 Grant Cycle Efforts Funding was continued for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a multi-agency coordinated counter- terrorism intelligence network.
Funding of projects under the Council's Criminal Justice Records Improvement Plan was continued.
Funding was continued for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program (RSAT). Funding was provided to assist in the continuation efforts of drug courts. Funding was provided to continue the mental health court diversion program.
Summary of Program Coordination Efforts and Activities
The Council is the state administrative agency (SAA) for a majority of the federal criminal justice grant funding in the State of Georgia. The Council's membership, as statutorily defined, includes representatives from every facet of the criminal justice system in addition to citizen members appointed by the Governor. This 24-member body facilitates coordination of criminal justice activities and initiatives in a unique and innovative manner. The representatives from each agency provide insight and direction to Council staff regarding the coordination and update of the state's strategic plans for drug control, criminal justice records improvement (CJRI), crime victim services, and statistical analysis and evaluation.
Council staff supports criminal justice system coordination efforts by their membership on various committees and task forces. The Director and/or designee serves as a member of the Georgia Courts Automation Commission (GCAC), an advisory member to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, the Georgia Reentry Impact Project (GRIP), the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness, and as a member of the Child Fatality Review Board. Participation in these committees and task forces provides invaluable insight to strategic planning for the criminal justice system in Georgia.
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Funding priorities set forth in Georgia's Multi-Year Strategy were aligned with the goals described in the National Drug Control Strategy. Coordination and planning for the multi-year strategy included input from diverse sources within the criminal justice system. These efforts include advertised public hearings and public input at the bi-annual council meetings and other meetings throughout the year. This process supports a dialogue between various levels of government and community organizations to determine initiatives that are effective in achieving identified priorities.
In an effort to examine the effects that Byrne-JAG funding cuts imposed during the 2006 funding year had on the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Forces (MJTFs), Council staff developed a 15 item questionnaire. The questionnaire was included in the application packets distributed to all 2005 Byrne-JAG MJTFs. The questionnaire included 2 questions asking for respondent's preferences regarding CJCC's current grant eligibility rules (time line and funding levels), one question asking the proportion of funding the JAG grant contributed to total project budget; and three open-ended questions asking about strategies used to address the impact of the funding cuts, additional factors contributing to increased demand, and involvement in community education/outreach activities. An additional nine Likert-scale items were included asking respondents to rate the impact of the funding cuts on different aspects of Task Force functioning.
All 23 MJTF programs submitting applications for 2007 funding and the GBI State Drug Task Force completed the questionnaire. Strong preferences were expressed for continuing the current guidelines for applications, including submitting one competitive application with the option of three annual renewals (depending on satisfactory performance), and for receipt of level funding for the entire grant period. The MJTFs and the state agencies funded through Byrne-JAG are currently exempt from the "4 Year Rule" applied to all other applicants. Under this rule, agencies can receive funds for four years but must submit an application for a substantially different project during the next competitive cycle. Also, these agencies receive 100% of the initial allocation award the first year, 75% the second year, and 50% of the original award amount during years three and four.
In response to the question regarding the proportion of total funding contributed by the Byrne-JAG grant to the budgets of the MJTFs, the average of all responses given was 46%, with a range from 25% to 85%. Three open-ended questions asked about the strategies used to cope with the cuts in funding, other factors contributing to increased demand, and participation in community education and outreach. The major themes expressed by respondents for each question, along with the percentage of respondents including that theme in their response are listed below. Since respondents combined multiple themes in their responses, the total number of responses is greater than the total number of respondents.
Strategies used to cope with the impact of recent Byrne/JAG funding cuts included: (1) shifting costs to other sources, such as increased use of forfeiture accounts, increasing the cost match by local agencies, shifting operating costs, or even seeking private donations (92%); (2) reducing costs related to personnel, such as freezing or cutting positions, reducing overtime, and limiting training (71%); (3) reducing the workload to accommodate the reduced number of
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personnel, such as restructuring work functions, reducing long term or major investigations, reducing the number of cases worked, cutting services (non-specific), and reducing the geographic area worked (50%); and (4) deferring purchases/repairs to equipment and vehicles (25%).
Other factors contributing to increased demands on project personnel/resources included: (1) an overall increased demand for services, attributed to increased geographical area to cover, increased number of cases or requests for assistance from local agencies, increased drug volume, increased population (driving increased drug crime), and an increase in more complex cases related to methamphetamine manufacture (meth labs) (87.5%); (2) increased operating costs, especially fuel costs, and budget cuts at local agencies (25%); (3) increased demand on remaining staff, attributed to increased turnover, increased work load, loss of overtime pay, need for more training for complex methamphetamine- related cases (29%).
Community outreach/education activities reported by respondents included: (1) presentations to a variety of community organizations and groups (100%); (2) presentations, special events, and on-going programs to schools, at-risk youths, and other programs serving children and youth (91%). Specific mention was made of Red Ribbon Week and DARE by several respondents. Also mentioned were the distribution of information through literature, telephone hotline, web-site, and media appearances (27%); special community-wide events related to community safety, crime control, and drug use prevention (18%); and participation in community coalitions focused on drug prevention, especially methamphetamine abuse (14%).
Questions 7- 14 asked respondents to rank the impact of the funding cuts on different aspects of MJTF operations on a 5-point Likert scale from Very Negative to Very Positive (with No Impact as the middle value). Not surprisingly, all of the items except one received rankings primarily of Very Negative or Somewhat Negative, with Combined Negative Scores ranging from 86% to 96%. Only the item "ability to coordinate and communicate with member agencies" did not receive predominantly negative rankings. Equal numbers ranked this item as "no impact" (48%) as negative and one respondent actually ranked this item as "very positive."
The lowest ranked item (most negatively scored) was "ability to replace or update equipment, including vehicles," with an average score of 1.43. The second lowest ranked item was "ability to recruit/retain personnel," with an average score of 1.57. The three highest ranked items (most positively scored) were "ability to coordinate and communicate with member agencies" (average score 2.52), "ability to modify procedures based on changes in illegal drug activity" (average score 2.00), and "ability to act effectively" (average score 1.96).
Reduced funding, rising operating costs, and increasing demands caused by increases in population, drug volume, and the complexity of methamphetamine manufacturing cases are straining the ability of the MJTFs to function effectively. The value of the MJTFs is demonstrated by the reliance placed by local agencies on these teams to provide narcotics investigation expertise not otherwise available in these jurisdictions. The willingness of local agencies to pick up a larger
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proportion of the costs, despite their own budget cuts, also demonstrates the perceived value of the MJTFs within their jurisdictions.
The survey of MJTF Byrne-JAG recipients exemplifies the way CJCC involves subgrantees in its process. Representatives from GBI and the task forces also attended both the spring and fall public meetings of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council as well as the meetings of the Crime Control and System Improvement (CCSI) Committee that makes allocation decisions for Byrne/JAG funds.
Evaluation Plan and Activities
The Council utilizes two primary methods to determine whether projects are utilizing federal funds efficiently. The first is through a financial review conducted on each request for reimbursement submitted by individual projects. The second is through quantitative factors reported by each project during the grant year. The factors are determined either by the project itself, if it is unique and not easily evaluated, or by standard measurers for more well known projects such as task forces. This two-part effort allows the Council to examine whether federal funds being expended comply with the grant program abstract and whether results are being achieved.
During Grant Year 2006, the Council continued to utilize a consultant teamed with staff to monitor Georgia's multi-jurisdictional task forces (MJTFs). All local MJTFs were monitored on-site throughout the state. In addition, all financial and operational procedures were documented. When applicable, corrective actions were recommended and implemented to assure consistent operation by each local project. All local MJTF Control Boards indicated support for continued operation of drug task forces in rural Georgia where several counties experience consistent hardships due to the tremendous lack of resources available and the increasing drug trading activities there.
Other evaluation efforts were mainly achieved through financial, desk audit, and comparative statistical reporting from the individually funded projects.
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SECTION 1: DEMAND REDUCTION EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PARTICIPATE - PURPOSE AREA 1
PROJECT TYPE
School Resource Officer (SRO) TOTALS
TOTAL # OF PROJECTS FUNDED
1
TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS AWARDED
$12,725
1
$12,725
One Local Program: 1.1: Pike County School Resource Officer (S.R.O.) ($12,725)
School Resource Officers (SRO) act as liaisons between law enforcement agencies and educational systems. The officers investigate crimes and activities associated with misbehavior and also serve as counseling resources for students experiencing difficulties.
SRO Program Accomplishments and Evaluation Results
During the reporting period, the Pike County SRO Officer:
Responded to a total of 32 complaints (All from other agencies, none were initiated by the SRO);
Effected a total of 38 arrests; Issued a total of 3 traffic/parking warnings and/or citations; Issued a total of 2 trespass warnings and/or citations; Provided 16 instances of assistance to law enforcement and other agencies; Conducted 1 student conference; Provided 12 hours of instruction to students, teachers, and parents; Provided 17 hours in assistance with campus crime prevention, fundraisers and
community drives.
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SECTION 2: MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCES - PURPOSE AREA 2
The mission of eliminating violent crime and the illegal trade of drugs through a coordinated multi- agency approach represents the core of the Council's commitment through the administration of Byrne/JAG funds. This endeavor, carried out by Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces, forges alliances among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in effectively reducing drug and violent crime in Georgia.
Byrne/JAG funding supports three categories of Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces in Georgia 1. Local Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Forces
2. Statewide Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force 3. Regional K-9 Multi-Jurisdictional Resource Teams
Approximately 64 percent of Byrne/JAG funds were allocated to Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces during the 2006 Grant Year (July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007). Although all projects in this category sustained cuts due to the reduced federal award, every effort was made to provide as much funding as possible to the rural, multi-county task forces. The following table shows the number of projects funded and the total amount of funds allocated to each initiative:
Task Forces
Total No. Of
Total Amount of
Projects Funded Funds Allocated
Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces
24
(Locally Implemented)
$4,023,072
State Drug Task Force (State Implemented) 1
$710,544
Drug Enforcement Training
1
$270,678
(State Implemented)
Regional K-9 Multi-Jurisdictional Resource 2 Teams (Locally Implemented)
$123,602
K-9 Resource Team and State Certification 1 Training Task Force (State Implemented)
$420,780
TOTALS
29
$5,548,676
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24 Local Programs:
2.1: Locally Implemented Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces ($4,023,072)
A Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) leads as Commander in 12 of the 24 local task forces. The ASAC provides experienced, capable leadership and helps to ensure an organized and cooperative effort between not only GBI and the task forces but also other law enforcement agencies. The remaining task forces are commanded by a local officer from one of the participating jurisdictions. A total of 24 task forces cover a jurisdictional area of approximately 90 of Georgia's 159 counties.
The Council remains committed to funding of multi-county task forces in rural Georgia. Georgia has 159 counties; 107 counties (67%) have fewer than 30,000 residents. Byrne/JAG funding supports collaborative drug enforcement across counties and towns in areas of the state that do not have sufficient local budgets to support these specialized officers and activities. However, these areas of the state are transected by major inter-state highways and have seen rapid recent growth of gang and drug related crime. If these drug enforcement task forces did not exist, drug-related crime throughout the state would increase. The Byrne/JAG multi-jurisdictional drug task forces represent one of the few examples of state, county, and city law enforcement agencies working together on a daily basis to accomplish a specific goal that impacts the state as a whole.
Cumulatively, the units seized almost $50,000,000 in drugs and contributed to approximately 5,594 arrests statewide. The table below underscores the task forces' importance by identifying the value of the different types of drugs seized1. Despite the cuts in grants awarded to the MJTFs, the value of drugs seized increased by approximately 20%. The number of arrests, however, declined by 18%. It is important to note that while the value of seizures of cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamines, stimulants, and depressants all declined from 2005, the value of seizures of cannabis, opiates, and hallucinogens increased 38%, 720%, and 586% respectively. The decline in the value of methamphetamine seized may be an indicator of the success of enhanced enforcement, the restrictions placed on pseudo ephedrine-containing OTC drug purchases, and more community education and prevention efforts focused on methamphetamine abuse. Conversely, it may be an indicator that the reduced funding resulted in fewer investigations of methamphetamine production and trafficking since these investigations are more complicated and more labor intensive for task force personnel.
11The value of the drugs for each task force was calculated using a standard value chart obtained from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. See Appendix B of this report.
Please note the number of arrests include male and female juveniles and male and female adults.
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FY 2006 Drug Seizures by Georgia's MJTFs
Cocaine Crack Cocaine Cannabis Methamphetamines Opiates Stimulants Depressants Hallucinogens Prescription Other TOTAL
$905,360 $526,417 $46,832,436 $695,846 $118,600 $2,885 $8,220 $36,035 $101,029 $93,823 $49,320,651
Two State Programs: 2.2: State Drug Task Force ($710,544)
The Council continues to recognize that undercover agents are critical to the successful arrest of street-level narcotics dealers and users. However, in Georgia's small rural counties and towns, it is difficult for local police officers to function effectively undercover. It is for this reason that Byrne/JAG funding is allocated to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's State Drug Task Force (SDTF) Project. The project provides undercover operatives and surveillance units for Georgia law enforcement agencies struggling with narcotics-related and violent crime problems. Due to limited resources in several rural Georgia counties, SDTF is able to provide much needed assistance with undercover operations.
The emphasis of the State Drug Task Force operations is to identify, detect, and establish cases against individuals responsible for the sale and distribution of narcotics in the areas where assistance has been requested. More recently, requests for State Drug Task Force agents from local law enforcement include cases involving the purchase of firearms and larger purchases of narcotics, making those individuals the focus of further investigation and ultimate referral for prosecution by the Federal government.
GBI's Regional Offices and Regional Drug Enforcement Offices support undercover operations by providing personnel and other resources for investigations coordinated by the Assistant Special
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Agents in Charge (ASACs) at the local multi-jurisdictional task force. The State Drug Task Force also serves to circulate drug crime intelligence across the state.
The State Drug Task Force began operations for FY07 facing critical shortages in grant funding. At the beginning of the fiscal year, ten new agents were received into the ranks of the State Drug Task Force. During the first month of this fiscal year, the State Drug Task Force utilized the talents of seasoned special agents for 30 days to train these newly assigned agents during the transition of assigned personnel. A detailed operations plan was required to successfully accomplish this task.
An immediate result of this new wave of agents and operations planning was the Operation Full House, which went into effect July 5, 2006, in Muscogee County, Georgia. This effort began with an increase in the numbers of cases generated by undercover GBI agents working in the Muscogee County area (city of Columbus and environs) with the Metro Narcotics Task Force. Membership in this MJTF extends across the Chattahoochee River into Phenix City, Russell County, Alabama. Collaborative meetings with counterparts across the state border in Alabama prompted a request for assistance to the GBI from the Sheriffs Office in Russell County. The state of Alabama does not have a State Drug Task Force Unit comparable to that of the GBI. The GBI, noting the unique nature of this request for assistance, responded by deputizing its undercover agents to conduct undercover operations in Phenix City. This joint endeavor resulted in a successful investigation which was featured in the November 2007 National Criminal Justice Association bulletin. This example illustrates the importance of the State Drug Task Force as a component of Georgia's drug control and crime reduction strategy; drug criminals do not respect the borders of local, county, or state jurisdictions, and law enforcement must work together if efforts to combat drug crime will have a serious impact.
Simultaneously with the investigations of street level drug crime in Muscogee County, Georgia, and Russell County, Alabama, the GBI worked a joint undercover operation with the FBI, Columbus Resident Office, targeting the illegal activities of Columbus Police Officer Larry Lightning. This investigation resulted in the arrest of Officer Lightning on a federal indictment for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base and extortion by a public official. As a result of Officer Lightnings arrest and cooperation, two other Columbus police officers were ultimately charged in connection with illegal activities which were carried out during the performance of their official duties as Columbus police officers. Again, the ability of the GBI State Drug Task Force to work with local, county, state, and federal agencies validates the need for continued support.
The task force provided assistance on 17 drug cases and affected 163 arrests during the reporting period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. The SDTF assisted in seizing more than $50,834 in contraband.
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2.3: State Drug Enforcement Training Program ($270,678)
The Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) administers the State Drug Enforcement Training Program (DET) through its Georgia Police Academy Division. GPSTC is a comprehensive training complex for use by all state and local public safety units. DET offered and delivered advanced specialized training in all of the following: drug enforcement investigations, school resource officer, community oriented policing, and Spanish language training. In addition, DET conducts the Georgia Clandestine Laboratory Investigation/Safety Certification program and Crisis Intervention Team Certification training. Training classes are also delivered at off-site locations as the need arises. These programs were offered at no cost to eligible personnel. Training was open to Federal law enforcement officials assigned to drug task forces with in the state of Georgia. In addition, the DET made available, as it has in the past, courses in drug awareness, drug gang identification and clandestine laboratory safety and awareness programs to many Georgia firefighters and Georgia Emergency Management Agency employees. All of the courses offered under the DET Program were Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) certified.
During the reporting period, the DET Project provided 95 individual training programs to municipal, county, and state officers at either GPSTC or one of its academies. While local officers comprised a majority of the students enrolled in the program, application guidelines allowed course coordinators to give preference to drug task force members. The content of DET courses has been re-visited each year and modified to reflect new information concerning drug trends, techniques in fighting drug crimes, speaking patterns and symbols, gangs and school violence, cultural and language classes (i.e. Spanish I-III), and clandestine drug lab investigation.
Due to the broad range of specialized courses, the DET Project was able to offer in-service classes off-site to various local jurisdictions in addition to individual courses held at the Training Center. In-service classes enabled entire agencies to benefit from training. Courses were offered at the Center when there was a need for certain specialized equipment. However, other courses that did not require these types of equipment were provided off-site via agency request. These courses were tailored to accommodate the needs of agencies requesting the training.
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The following table lists DET courses presented by GPSTC:
Courses Offered Through the DET Program (2006 Grant Period)
Advanced Marijuana Identification
Introduction to Drug Enforcement
Clandestine Drug Labs
Pharmaceutical Drug Investigations
Conspiracy Investigations
Rave and Club Drugs
Courtroom Testimony
Search and Seizure for Drug Cases
Drug Gang Seminar
Survival Spanish for Public Safety Officers
Drug Undercover Operations
Tactical Drug Operations
Electronic Surveillance
Georgia Gang Investigator's Course
Descriptions of Specific DET Courses:
High Risk Warrant Service: Designed for officers in departments that did not maintain specially trained tactical teams and served felony or drug warrants with existing personnel.
Clandestine Drug Lab Safety: Developed for law enforcement officers involved in criminal and narcotics investigations regarding illegal drug making labs.
Conspiracy Investigations: Covers the basics of what it takes to "map" conspiracy investigations from start to finish and to ensure prosecution and conviction of conspirators.
Search and Seizure for Drug Cases: Served as a 40-hour search and seizure course designed to provide law enforcement personnel with a more advanced review of the legal requirements set forth in the Fourth Amendment and through court rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, Georgia Supreme Court, and the Georgia Court of Appeals.
DET Program Accomplishments and Evaluation Results
The Georgia Public Safety Training Center provides the Council with quarterly reports demonstrating project impact. Consider the following:
GPSTC provided 95 courses on-site and 10 classes off-site related to drug enforcement.
A total of 2,529 students attended training courses and 2,425 students successfully completed the courses offered.
GPSTC offered 69 DET Courses at a cost of $98.30 per student.
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Three Regional Projects: 2.4: K-9 Regional Resource Teams ($544,382)
As another element in its strategy to support rural law enforcement agencies' efforts to combat drug and firearm related crime in Georgia, the Council began funding regional K-9 Resource Teams in which specialized detector dogs were made available to local law enforcement agencies. This freed individual agencies (in the requisite areas) of the costs associated with managing, supporting, and training their own canine units. The K-9 Resource Teams and K-9 Training Facility support the following law enforcement activities:
Safe school searches (narcotics and firearms), Street sweep operations (narcotics and firearms), Neighborhood drug activity suppression (narcotics), Traffic safety checks (narcotics and firearms), Service of search warrants (narcotics, firearms, explosives), Recovery of evidence (narcotics, firearms, explosives), Community drug education/detection demonstrations (narcotics), Participation in multi-level narcotics interdiction efforts (narcotics), Narcotics sweeps of correctional facilities (narcotics), Explosive detector (threat response, physical security, VIP protection), Operational planning and implementation (explosive threat, physical security, VIP
protection).
Since the events of 9/11/2001, the K-9 teams have also provided support to investigations at the deep water port of Savannah and small regional airports throughout Georgia.
The K-9 Resource Teams may include one or more of the following components depending on the requirements and available assets of a specific region: narcotics K-9 teams for detection of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, etc; explosive/firearms K-9 teams for detection of common military and civilian weapons and explosives Explosive incident specialist/K-9 liaison officer; explosive threat and physical security planning and training.
The Regional K-9 Teams located in Chatham (Savannah), Dawson, and Richmond (Augusta) Counties have been able to assist local, state, federal, multi-jurisdictional, and private agencies over the course of the projects' existence. The Chatham County project is a more extensive program that also includes a Training Facility that maintains a certification component for the Augusta/Richmond and Dawson County Teams. Ten certified K-9 handlers are involved in the Chatham County project. This program is managed by the Georgia State Patrol who maintains a training component that is utilized by numerous task forces and other members of law enforcement.
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During this grant year, the Chatham County K-9 Task Force conducted 17 basic handler trainings that were attended by 28 total students, 2 advanced handler trainings were attended by a total of 5 students, and a supervisor course attended by nine students. There were 60 students certified by narcotics, explosive, and patrol training. In addition to the handler trainings, the Chatham K-9 Task Force/Training Facility presented courses on Bomb Threat Management, Bomb Scene Management for Supervisors, Proficiency Training, Bomb Threat Response, and Explosive Canine Team Annual Certification.
The Byrne/JAG funded K-9 projects conducted 9,963 total searches during the 2006 Grant Year. This total included 9,136 searches for narcotics and 827 for firearms/explosives. These searches contributed to 940 total arrests, including 580 felony arrests and 360 misdemeanor arrests. In addition, the K-9 teams conducted 72 educational demonstrations for civic, professional, and school settings.
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SECTION 3: IMPROVE THE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSE AREA 7A
One State Program:
3.1: Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council
Law Enforcement Certification Exam ($13,335)
On December 8, 2004, the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council approved a long range plan which called for the development and implementation of a certification examination for law enforcement personnel. Successful completion of this exam will be required prior to the issuance of the officer's license to serve in a sworn law enforcement capacity. The test will serve to ensure uniformity of training of all Basic Law Enforcement graduates and could be compared to other licensing exams currently in existence, such as the Georgia Bar exam. The test will measure problem-solving skills as well as knowledge and will determine if an individual can apply knowledge gained through formal training and make the correct and oftentimes critical decisions required of law enforcement officers. The development of a criterion-referenced test is an effective way to address the ethical and legal challenges in certifying law enforcement officers at the completion of training because it compares a person's performance against an objective standard, rather than the performance of others, as a norm-referenced test does.
The process of developing this test has taken longer than originally anticipated. The first phase of development required an updated Job Task Analysis (JTA). The JTA was completed during first year funding. Second year funding was used to develop the test blueprint and begin the item writing process. Based upon the blueprint, the process of writing test questions began. Again, this process has taken longer than anticipated. An extension of time on first year funding was approved through December 31, 2006; therefore, the FY 2007 grant didn't start until January 1, 2007. During the January to July period of 2007 the team continued to work diligently on developing test items based upon the test blueprint. At this point, approximately 300 of the 800 total test items needed have been generated and banked in computer testing software. The test questions will be validated before implementation of the examination. Once implemented, the scores and test questions will be monitored regularly to ensure the validity and reliability of the examination. Third year funding is being used to continue this process.
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SECTION 4: PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE CORRECTIONS SYSTEMS PURPOSE AREA 11
One Local Program: 4.1: Lighthouse Missions Reentry Program ($62,817)
Lighthouse Missions, located in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia was provided Byrne/JAG Grant funding to assist the reentry of ex-offenders into their communities. The Reentry Program provides a stable living environment and other services for re-entry into society. Services provided by the staff included substance abuse/addiction recovery, family counseling and support groups. As part of the recovery process, participants took part in counseling and other group activities and worked towards securing full-time employment. The Reentry Program also provides assistance to ex- offenders' families through referrals to appropriate social service agencies and other supportive agencies.
The Reentry Program received funding from July 1, 2006-December 2006, the end of the period of eligibility for funding. During this time period, the program admitted 2 new ex-offenders and continued services to an additional 7 participants in the housing quarters and supportive programs. The counties of residence for these offenders include Bibb and Bartow counties.
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SECTION 5: CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS PURPOSE AREA 15B
One State Program: 5.1: Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Audit Program ($177,087)
During the Grant Year, the Council continued to fund the Georgia Crime Information Center's (GCIC) Audit Program. This project supports three auditors responsible for conducting fingerprint/disposition audits. One auditor is dedicated to the suspense file project which captures delinquent dispositions that were not supplied electronically to the GCIC Computerized Criminal History (CCH) database. The auditors also corrected erroneous data appearing on the State's computerized criminal history database. For more detailed information regarding the Audit Program, please refer to the Criminal Justice Records Improvement (CJRI) Plan located in Appendix A of this report.
Output & Outcome Measures of GCIC Audit Project Activities
Total Number of
1,158 Number/percentage of
812
Reporting Agencies
agencies in compliance/
Audited by GCIC
Number/percentage of
344
agencies in non-compliance
Number of dispositions 20,257 Number/Percentage of
15,971
researched at local
dispositions collected
agencies
Number of felony
34,105 Number of felony
10,448
dispositions in the GCIC
dispositions applied to the
suspense file researched
CCH database
at local agencies
70% 30% 79%
31%
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SECTION 6: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO DRUG OFFENSES AND SERIOUS CRIMES - PURPOSE AREA 16
One Local Program: 6.1: Fulton County District Attorney's Office, Re-entry Partnership Initiative ($33,720)
The Fulton County District Attorney's Office received 2006 Byrne/JAG Grant funding to continue the implementation of a community-based partnership re-entry initiative. The program's purpose is to address the challenges faced by parolees during transition from prison back to the community, including: shelter, family re-integration, and mental health supports. Prisons lack sufficient resources to provide educational assistance, job training and drug treatment to the degree needed before an offender is released into society. The program aims to fill this gap within the community.
The reentry program will be located within Zone 1 of the Atlanta Police Department (specifically the English Avenue Community). According to the Uniform Crime Report filed by the Atlanta Police Department, Zone 1 has the highest rate of crime in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County. The most significant crimes committed were homicides, rapes, and aggravated assaults. There are few support services and little retail and commercial development in the neighborhood, though it is adjacent to an area of downtown Atlanta experiencing robust reinvestment activity. The partnership aims to bring together faith-based and minority-run organizations to provide services at a "one-stop shop" to returning offenders and their family members.
During this reporting period, the focus and scope of the original project has been altered to focus on juvenile as well as adult offenders and to include a diversion component that will focus on efforts to divert youth in the community from entering a life of crime. The new plan involves an economic development and revitalization plan and calls for providing (1) housing for seniors, moderate to low income families, and participants in the diversion/re-entry programs; and (2) stimulating retail activity in the community. The project is now being labeled a "community justice center," although no community court is planned.
The partners in the Re-Entry/Diversion Program will provide assessment and services prior to the release of offenders. Specifically, the Georgia Department of Labor has agreed to provide a dedicated staff person who will assist with job training and employment. The Atlanta Housing Authority, apartment developers, the faith based community and others have agreed to assist returning offenders in securing comfortable and affordable housing.
Steps have been taken to build community support for the Re-Entry/Diversion Initiative. This included a series of community meetings aimed at gaining the needed support of the community in which the Justice Center is to be located. Meetings have been held with at least 20 neighborhood associations and community groups, Neighborhood Planning Units and government agencies to discuss the Community Justice Center model and how it could positively impact the English Avenue Neighborhood.
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Staff continues to undertake capacity building efforts that include: identifying organizations and governmental agencies that will serve as service providers. These partners include the West Care Foundation, Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Department of Human Resources and the Georgia Department of Labor, just to mention a few. These agencies have agreed to be service providers. The District Attorney's Office met with a potential partner who would have the capabilities to provide an Independent Living Program and Drug Treatment Program. They are currently awaiting a proposal from the potential partners in order to review the proposed services and possibility of partnership.
Program staff has also spent considerable time and effort identifying and securing a centrally located facility to house all of the activities and services under one roof. Efforts have been made to purchase the English Avenue Elementary School Property at 627 English Avenue NW Atlanta from the Atlanta Public Schools. Staff is also exploring other potential sites as well. The District Attorney's Office also completed the incorporation of the English Avenue Community Justice Center, Inc. which is currently in the process of completing the 501(c) (3) application in order to apply for a not-for-profit status for the corporation.
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SECTION 7: ALTERNATIVES TO PREVENT DETENTION, JAIL AND PRISON PURPOSE AREA 20
7.1: Drug Courts (Nine Local Programs)
Baldwin County Drug Court ($23,569)
The Baldwin County Drug Court funded under Byrne/JAG offers recovery skills and relapse prevention, co-occurring disorders, anger and stress management, job readiness, coping skills, social skills without the use of drugs, family education, sponsorship, role play interviewing techniques, employment skills, and education programs. Participants are required to attend the appropriate 12-step support group program in the community and meet with a sponsor at least three or four times per week. This program also provides participants with community resources such as transportation, a work program (Supportive Employment), a male residential program for the homeless, dental and physical care (Compassionate Care Clinic), and the resources of the Department of Labor. The time requirement for the aftercare program has been changed from 12 months to six months. Participants in aftercare meet with their aftercare support group and have court review once a month.
A total of 31 offenders entered the program and a total of 6 successfully completed the program. During this period, there were a total of 224 positive drug screens received.
Chatham County Drug County ($36,960)
The Chatham County Drug Court (CCDC) provides a comprehensive course of treatment that integrates group counseling, individual counseling, and involvement in community-based recovery programs, random drug screens, medical monitoring, judicial supervision, and case management services. The program has access to a continuum of treatment services ranging from residential detoxification and stabilization to aftercare. Collateral services are provided to address needs such as stable housing and family counseling. A mandatory monthly leisure activity is designed to help participants learn sober leisure skills to occupy the time that was spent in illicit activities.
In order to graduate from the CCDC Program, participants must have successfully completed all phases of treatment, earned a high school diploma or G.E.D. be gainfully employed, have performed 80 hours of community service, have paid a $1,000 Drug Court fee, have developed a continuing care plan, and have maintained at least 12 months of continuous sobriety. A total of 49 offenders entered the drug court program and 10 successfully completed the program during this period. There were 34 positive drug screen results during this reporting period.
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Forsyth County Drug Court ($15,185)
Since the beginning of the current grant cycle, 42 participants have entered the program through the Forsyth County Drug Court. Additionally, the court has graduated a total of 37 participants and has terminated 21. During this period, 5,828 total drug screens were performed and had 41 positive results.
There have not been any significant changes in this program model or the execution within the last year. A steering committee continues to meet quarterly to discuss program policy and issues. This committee consists of those participating in the weekly staff meetings as well as those individuals necessary to make policy decisions for the represented offices or agencies. During these meetings, minor adjustments have been made to the program rules and new policies have been created and implemented.
In the last year, the issue of sustainability for the future has been explored by asking the County to absorb the salaries/benefits of the Drug Court staff members. Due to the positive progress, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved the funding and these figures will be removed from the Drug Court budget effective January 2008. Additional funds were acquired from a barbecue fundraiser hosted by one of the participants in the program. The funds are to be used to assist children and families of those burdened by addiction. The funds will specifically be used for emergency crisis situations (medical, dental, housing, etc.) residential treatment, or to supplement in times of need (presents for children at Christmas, birthdays, etc.).
Gwinnett County Drug Court ($35,891)
Gwinnett Countys Drug Court follows both a post-adjudication and pre-adjudication model targeted at adult probation violators who have a history of substance abuse and select individuals in the Gwinnett County Pre-Trial Program. Within the post-adjudication model, the offenders prison sentence is re-suspended on the sole condition that he or she successfully completes Drug Court and its stringent behavioral requirements. Successful completion of Drug Court takes 18 to 24 months. If the participant fails to comply, the suspended prison sentence is imposed.
During this reporting period, 25 new participants have been admitted to the program and 20 graduates have successfully completed the program. Also, the program reached its "6 month checkup" of the October 2006 graduates and none have been rearrested for new offenses since completing the Drug Court Program.
The drug court program has started new partnerships during this reporting period one of which is with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce "Drugs Don't Work" program. The Chamber has become very supportive of the programs offered in Gwinnett County. Another partnership created is with Step by Step Recovery, a local half-way house in Gwinnett County. The program director allows Drug Court participants to live in the half-way house while remaining active in the program.
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The Gwinnett County Drug Court Program entered a new contract with GRN (Gwinnett, Rockdale, Newton) Court Services Program to provide alcohol/drug treatment to the Drug Court participants. The new contract allows the Drug Court participants to receive a wide variety of services from one location.
Muscogee County Juvenile Drug Court ($23,383)
The Muscogee County Juvenile Drug Court provided services to 107 juveniles and their families and had 29 participants graduate from the program. During this reporting period, the Drug Court implemented a successful youth flag football team. The team promoted positive and productive behavior and introduced the participants to a new and exciting environment that encouraged them to remain drug free. The Drug Court's first Alumni Support Group was held on March 13, 2007. This group offered graduates any assistance or support that they might need. In addition, graduates are encouraged to give their advice, recommendations, and suggestions during this meeting. At the end of the third quarter the physical fitness component of the program was added with participants attending the YMCA each Friday of the month. In June, the Drug Court developed and implemented a female gender specific life skills group for the participants due to the huge success for the male gender specific life skills program.
Columbus Drug Court ($35,891)
Recently, a new Superior Court Judge took over leadership of the drug court program. He met with all principals including the Superior Court Judges, the District Attorney's Office, the State Probation Department, and the Circuit's Public Defender's Office. This meeting was coordinated with the assistance of the Judicial Council Standing Committee on Drug Courts personnel. The three cases that are presently under supervision by this Court are with State Probation. One of the three participants is a registered nurse who is doing well and has been successful in not jeopardizing her license and professional career. The other two participants are spouses and have relapsed into drug use. Both will be sentenced to programs within the State Department of Corrections.
Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit Drug Court ($24,382)
During the reporting period, the Tallapoosa Drug Court celebrated its third graduation with two participants taking part. In addition, both of the participants earned their GED while in Drug Court. The third six-week Life Skills class was conducted and focused on anger management. Parenting classes were also provided. The court staff takes many opportunities to celebrate the successes of the participants.
The Tallapoosa Drug Court was able to have a drug court judge present to the local housing authority board proposed revisions of their policy that would allow drug court participants to be considered for housing. The local Housing Authority Board agreed to this revision. The program increased their treatment staff and implemented a more inclusive family therapy program. Services
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were expanded to include on-site drug testing capabilities through Dade Behring. Quarterly court and treatment sessions have begun in Haralson County. The drug court team also presented at the state drug court conference and has worked with other courts that were in the process of creating their drug court programs. During this reporting period 30 offenders entered the program and 16 offenders successfully completed the program. A total of 53 drug screens resulted in positive results.
Beginning on December 27, 2006, the treatment provider was replaced with Lanier Counseling Services, under the direction of Carlton Lanier MA, LPC, CSA, CCS. The new treatment team implemented their approach to working with the participant group. Their emphasis is to consistently apply the rules of the program, as written in the participant handbook. This includes simple rules such as being on time for group meetings and dressing appropriately. It is Mr. Lanier's philosophy that "structure in everyday living is a foundation on which to receive treatment and begin recovery." Another change implemented by the new team is based on the idea that abstinence from use, while an essential part of any recovery, is only 10 percent of the solution to the problem. The other 90 percent focuses on changing the attitudes and behaviors that support the addiction, eventually replacing those with attitudes and behaviors that support a recovery process.
Towaliga Judicial Circuit Drug Court ($25,269)
The Towaliga Judicial Circuit Special Drug Court is currently successful in reducing the participants' use of drugs. Every participant must make an appearance before the Drug Court Judge at least bi-weekly. This court session is called the "Report Back Hearing." The Judge becomes acquainted with each participant in the drug court and is able to engage in a discussion with each participant about employment, and/or school, family, their opinions of the counseling sessions, and other interests. Through the Report Back Hearings, Counseling Sessions, Assessments, and Drug Screening Reports, the team has collected the following information:
Drug(s) of Choice: Methamphetamine, Marijuana, Crack Cocaine;
Drug History: Participants reported the first use of alcohol at ages 13-15 years. First use of illegal drugs at ages 13-19 years;
Longest drug-free period since first use: 9 days to 1.5 years;
The majority of participants are single and without children. Approximately half of the participants have attained a High School or General Education Diploma. The entire drug court program is at least twelve months. The program is divided into three phases. The interest and support for the program is growing and therefore the number of offenders applying to enter the program is steadily increasing.
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Western Judicial Circuit Felony Drug Court ($21,759)
The Western Judicial Circuit Felony Drug Court strives to provide an alternative means for addressing substance abuse related offenses through a judicially supervised regimen of treatment for offenders in order to reduce the cost and effect on the community while resolving public safety issues. Participants are encouraged to bring family members to status conferences in order to further educate families about the program and provide a stronger support system. The drug court initiated a new database purchased from ADE during this reporting period. During this reporting period, 18 offenders entered the drug court program and 12 offenders successfully completed the program. A total number of 90 drug screens produced positive results.
One State Program:
7.2: Pilot Mental Health Diversion Court Program:
Department of Corrections/Hall County Superior Court ($55,608)
With funding from the Byrne/JAG grant, the Governor's Pilot Mental Health Court Diversion Program, entitled the "The H.E.L.P. Program", was implemented in Gainesville, Georgia, on December 1, 2004, under the jurisdiction of the Hall County Superior Court. The program continues to receive funding from the Byrne/JAG grant.
In the regular court system, defendants often interact with a number of different defenders, prosecutors, and judges all on the same case; this approach often creates barriers that prevent the court from identifying and addressing the unique needs of a mentally ill offender. Mentally ill offenders often spend unnecessary time in jail and, lacking access to mental health treatment services on release, often become repeat offenders and cycle through the justice system again.
The Mental Health Court Diversion Program represents an effort to increase effective cooperation between two systems that have traditionally not worked together -- the mental health treatment system and the criminal justice system. The project's intended outcomes include the following outcomes for the mentally ill misdemeanant population: faster case processing time, improved access to public mental health treatment services, improved well-being, and reduced recidivism. An important outcome to be achieved from this program for the larger community is improved public safety.
Proposal and collaborative planning meetings were conducted with the community throughout the reporting period. Participants at these meetings reviewed the project proposal, identified referral sources, selected state and local collaborative committee members, and developed the project procedures and users manual. Committee members assumed individual responsibilities according to their respective roles in the community (i.e. law enforcement, probation, parole, district attorney, public defender, solicitor, case management, mental health, etc.).
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Referrals were received within the first week of programming. Weekly case reviews for client appropriateness were conducted with the H.E.L.P. Team, comprised of the Superior Court Judge, District Attorney, designated Assistant District Attorney, Public Defender, and case management staff.
During this reporting period, an additional 7 individuals were enrolled in program services. One of these individuals was released from incarceration as a result of their enrollment in the Program. The following are ongoing needs identified and coordinated for participants:
Mental health treatment Medication management Public transportation assistance Medicaid and interim prescription assistance for indigent Shelter followed by permanent supportive housing placement Coordination of appropriate guardianship and payee for SSI Public assistance (i.e. TANF, Food Stamps, etc.) Employment Indigent physical medical/medication assistance Substance abuse residential treatment placement
Literacy and GED education
Case Management services provided supportive maintenance for individuals determined ineligible for programming, but who required follow-up coordination of appropriate services (i.e. coordination with Veterans Administration Hospital for halfway house funding and hospitalization; APS and Medicaid regional office for funding of personal care home placement).
The H.E.L.P. Team has continued to expand efforts to increase support of the project through ongoing community outreach with service providers and referral agencies. The H.E.L.P. Team additionally has held five Program graduation ceremonies for recognition of participants successfully completing the Program subsequent to its implementation. To date, the program has 32 graduates.
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SECTION 8: ANTI-TERRORISM TRAINING PROGRAMS PURPOSE AREA 26
Two State Projects: 8.1: Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center ($225,520)
After the September 11, 2001, Al-Qa'ida terrorist attacks, Georgia, like most other states and large urban areas, created homeland security directors and organizations to devise and implement homeland security strategies to protect their citizens, property, critical infrastructure, and key resources. In Georgia, the state-level homeland security organization, the Georgia Office of Homeland Security (GOHS), is headed by the Director of Homeland Security, who guides and oversees homeland security strategies, goals, and priorities. Over the past year, GOHS and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) have merged into a single organization (GOHS/GEMA).
The Director of GOHS/GEMA chairs the Georgia Homeland Security Task Force (GHSTF), a committee comprised of senior executives representing the state agencies that would most likely respond to a terrorist attack, as well as executives from the three professional associations representing Georgia's sheriffs, police chiefs, and fire chiefs. When the GHSTF was created, its first priority was to initiate the Georgia Information and Sharing Analysis Center (GISAC) project to support its broader mission, encompassing intelligence analysis, threat assessment, planning, incident management, and consequence management. GISAC was not intended to replace or duplicate the counter-terrorism functions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), but rather to enhance and facilitate the collection of information from local and state sources, and to integrate that information into a system that would benefit homeland security and counter-terrorism intelligence programs at all levels. GISAC is the State of Georgia's dedicated fusion center.
The mission of the Georgia Information Sharing & Analysis Center (GISAC) is to serve as the State's focal point for the collection, integration, analysis, and dissemination of information relating to terrorist threats and attacks against Georgia's citizens and property. GISAC centralizes State law enforcement investigations and threat assessment, as well as intelligence collection, integration, analysis, and dissemination efforts, using a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary approach directed toward detection, interdiction, prevention, and warning of terrorist activities. As originally formed, GISAC personnel representing the following agencies:
Georgia Office of Homeland Security / Georgia Emergency Management Agency Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Georgia Department of Public Safety / Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Georgia Sheriff's Association (GSA) Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs (GAFC) Georgia Army National Guard (GANG)
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In 2003, GISAC established an initiative with neighboring states' Homeland Security officials. This group became known as Southern Shield. The group organized to exchange best practices, share terrorism-related intelligence, and monitor regional terrorism threats. Southern Shield's member states currently include: 1) Texas, 2) Oklahoma, 3) Louisiana, 4) Mississippi, 5) Alabama, 6) Florida, 7) Tennessee, 8) Kentucky, 9) South Carolina, 10) North Carolina, 11) Virginia, 12) West Virginia, and, of course, 13) Georgia. During the 2007 fiscal year, Southern Shield has met quarterly and held quarterly conference calls. Additionally, GISAC shared its operating policies, procedures, and practices with other states and regions that were attempting to establish their own state-level homeland security/counter-terrorism intelligence organizations or fusion centers.
To facilitate effective communication and dissemination of terrorism-related information/intelligence, GISAC has four programs aimed at fostering productive working relationships with local, state, and federal government agencies throughout the State of Georgia. These programs are:
The Counter Terrorism Task Force (CTTF) The Georgia Terrorism Intelligence Project (GTIP) Interstate Counter-Terrorism Operations Network (ICON) Coordinating Operations with the Atlanta FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force
GISAC is co-located with the Atlanta FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). In 2005, GISAC and the FBI/JTTF made a deliberate effort to try to consolidate their operations so that both agencies would receive the same information and leads, research and investigative efforts would be closely coordinated. In 2006, the agencies started utilizing a single telephone number for incoming calls from Georgia public-safety agencies and the general public.
During FY 2007, GISAC added personnel from the Georgia Department of Corrections investigative/intelligence component. GISAC and the Georgia Department of Corrections recognized the need for collaboration with regard to radicalization of inmates in the prison systems and intelligence exchange. This project includes collaboration with the Atlanta FBI's Field Intelligence Group.
GISAC's staff have conducted numerous investigations of suspicious activity (possible terrorist pre- operational planning and preparation activities) occurring in Georgia, developing and disseminating information and results to other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and to other stakeholders, such owners/operators of critical infrastructure. In the 2006 grant year, GISAC investigated 428 documented complaints of suspicious or criminal activity and initiated 28 cases as a result of the incoming complaints.
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As part of its outreach efforts during the 2007 fiscal year, GISAC produced and disseminated numerous bulletins, alerts, and notices to the public and private sectors. GISAC's outreach publications are noted below:
50 GISAC Open Source Reports 12 GISAC Intelligence Bulletins (Law Enforcement Sensitive) 12 GISAC Fire/EMS Bulletins 11 GISAC Homeland Security Notices (Law Enforcement Sensitive)
During the 2007 fiscal year, Byrne/JAG Grant funding was utilized for a portion of GISAC operating expenses, including the lease of GISAC's office space and salary/ benefit packages for two (2) GBI administrative support personnel assigned to GISAC. Each agency involved in staffing GISAC is responsible for the personnel costs associated with their assigned personnel. GISAC covers all other expenses such as training, travel, and specialized equipment.
8.2: Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange Program 13 Participants (GILEE) ($58,500)
Byrne/JAG grant funding is used to support training that provides an international perspective on crime control. In May 2007, the 15th delegation of the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) were guests of the Israeli National Police (INP). The 17 law enforcement executives from Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas (only the Georgia executives were Byrne/JAG funded) traveled to Israel where the delegation observed how a society responds to the threat of terrorism on a daily basis and how law enforcement and public safety agencies operate. Delegation members were provided peer-to-peer training by their INP counterparts on strategies, tactics, and techniques for responding to terrorism, preventing crime and infusing community policing practices into neighborhoods. Delegation members returned to their communities in the U.S. with a better understanding of the challenges faced in the 21st century and developed professional contacts with colleagues in Israel, helping to further GILEE's mission of law enforcement executive development and international cooperation to improve the quality of law enforcement around the globe.
Since its inception, GILEE has carried out more than 90 programs for 460 law enforcement executives from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Austria, California, Canada, China, Florida, Georgia, Hungary, Indiana, Israel, Japan, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, United Kingdom, Utah, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia. In addition, it has provided multiple special briefings, seminars, and workshops in Georgia, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Texas. GILEE receives professional training credits and recognition from state and international accrediting bodies (Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy; Hungarian National Police, and Israel Police) for its professional training programs. In the future, GILEE plans to establish additional programs for law enforcement executives.
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May 2007 GILEE Participants
SECTION 9: ENFORCING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LAWS- PURPOSE AREA 28
9.1: Forsyth County Cyber Crime Unit ($29,004)
The Forsyth County Cyber Crime Unit provides forensic computer investigation skills to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and the City of Cumming Police Department. The investigator funded by this grant works with a senior investigator funded by the county's sheriff's office. The mission of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crime Unit is to efficiently and effectively use law enforcement technology to expose and successfully prosecute cyber crime. The target groups affected by cyber crime include children less than 5 years of age, adolescents under 18 years of age, and elderly persons over 65 years of age. The children under 5 years of age are targets for sexual exploitation and abduction, the adolescents are prime targets for sexual and drug exploitation and gang recruitment and the elderly are highly vulnerable for mortgage scams, fraud and identity theft. The Forsyth County Cyber Crime Unit uses electronic equipment devices that allows for on- scene rapid forensic scanning and selection of data platforms that contain evidence of criminal acts committed by perpetrators. Forsyth County Cyber Crime Unit evaluates this project using the following output and outcome measures:
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Measurements Searches done Machines searched Machines w/evidence Machines w/o evidence Time per unit
Quarter 1 6 10 6 2 15
Data Evaluation
Cases Opened
7
Charges developed
4
Referral to agency
3
Outcome Measures/Cases Supported
Child Pornography
5
Stalking
Forgery
3
Card Fraud
2
Identity Theft
8
Quarter 2 16 25 16 9 15
13 3 9
7
6
Quarter 3 19 19 18 1 15
6 4 1
3 2 1 3
Quarter 4 18 20 18 0 15
17 1 15
1 2 1 7
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APPENDIX A
2007 Criminal Justice Records Improvement (CJRI) Plan
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I. Introduction
The Georgia Criminal Justice Records Improvement (CJRI) Plan lists numerous goals within Section 4 of the plan. Several of these goals relate directly to the waiver criteria for the Byrne 5% set-aside requirement. Others reflect criteria imposed by the Brady Law and other federal statutes. Activity has occurred in overall record improvement and clear progress toward plan goals can be reported.
The goals are divided into seven areas, each with specific targets. This report follows the organization of Section 4 of the CJRI Plan and shows the status of each specific goal following the statement of that goal. The activities listed in the subsequent sections correspond to the strategies outlined for each goal in the CJRI Plan. Also included in the report is information on the various sub-projects. Finally, there is a listing of the current CJRI Subcommittee members in Attachment A.
II. Status on Plan Goals
1. Completeness and Accuracy of Criminal History Records (Four Strategies)
a. 95% of current felony arrest records and fingerprints are complete. Complete is defined as fully and accurately reflecting criminal justice transactions. For felony arrests comprising the last five years, a reasonable attempt must be made to achieve complete records for 90% of felony arrests. If this proves impossible, Georgia must describe the attempts made to obtain 90% and the reasons why that level could not be reached.
Status: Significant activity designed to reach this goal was initiated upon plan approval. First, a Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) backlog of 300,000 unprocessed criminal fingerprint cards was totally eliminated. These cards, representing one year's worth of criminal arrests are now on the Automated Fingerprint Identification (AFIS) and the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) databases available to the criminal justice community. The elimination of the criminal card backlog ensures that all criminal fingerprint cards submitted to GCIC are entered onto its databases.
Second, GCIC's computerized criminal history compliance audit is a valuable program to keep the CCH database up-to-date. CCH audit requirements make continuation of this program imperative for Georgia's criminal justice system. The major goal of the criminal history audit is to ensure that all qualified arrestees are fingerprinted, the records submitted to GCIC, and correct rules followed for access and dissemination of criminal history data. Over 449 local sites (which include both law enforcement and judicial sites) have been audited. In agencies where discrepancies were found, corrective action was initiated. Follow-up audits will be conducted at these sites to ensure compliance.
Third, Georgia has supported the capability for live scan systems to electronically submit mug shot images with each fingerprint submission to GCIC. The mug shot system sends data and images in
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the prescribed format to the transmitting live scan system that acts as a pass through for the facial images to the GBI and FBI. Live scan devices have been installed in local law enforcement agencies throughout the state; there are 248 live scan sites that submit electronic fingerprint cards for approximately 654 agencies. With this effort, arrest data are received at GCIC in real time mode and result in faster updates of both the AFIS and CCH databases. Live scan sites represent 93% of total electronic and hard card criminal receipts and 59% of applicant electronic and hard card receipts. A total of 100% of all criminal fingerprint cards are submitted to the FBI electronically.
Finally, Georgia implemented the new Computerized Criminal History (CCH) System. This project's goal was to redesign and modernize Georgia's 35 year old CCH System. The CCH redesign project moved the legacy system to a new platform with graphical interfaces and a relational database that allowed for increased access and use, provides greater flexibility in retrieval and presentation of data, and allowed for more effective and efficient processing. The new CCH System became operational on August 13, 2007.
b. 95% of current felony arrest records contain disposition information, if a disposition of the case has been reached. Disposition is defined as case termination by release without charge, prosecutor declination, or court adjudication. For felony arrests comprising the last five years, a reasonable attempt must be made to obtain disposition information for 90% of these felony arrests. If this proves impossible, Georgia must describe the attempt made to obtain 90% and the reasons why that level could not be reached.
Status: On August 13, 2007 GCIC implemented a new Computerized Criminal History (CCH) System which allows courts to transmit their final disposition data to GCIC using the new CCH User Interface or local court case management systems. The court transactions that are submitted to GCIC are eXtensible Markup Language (XML) format based. With the new CCH System in place, GCIC has the capability to accept automated or electronic submission of final disposition information from all agencies with the authority to issue final disposition of criminal cases. GCIC continues to work closely with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) to certify vendors/case management systems that will allow the automation of court disposition data from all 159 Superior Court Clerk's offices. During the month of November 2007, GCIC received 28,946 electronic dispositions.
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Second, the local agency audit efforts, specifically the delinquent disposition collection effort, have resulted in additional disposition reporting. For the last year (2006), 1,051 unreported dispositions were researched and 1,111 dispositions were processed. These numbers have declined from previous years due to a staffing reduction to only two researchers.
c. 95% of current sentences to and releases from prison are available. A reasonable attempt must be made to improve the availability of incarceration information in past records with a target of obtaining incarceration information for 90% of the felony arrests over the last five years. If this proves impossible, Georgia must describe attempts made to obtain 90% and the reasons why that level could not be reached.
Status: The Department of Corrections is responsible for reporting all incarceration information. It submits most incarceration data, as well as release data, to GCIC in an automated fashion. Other data, including probation and parole information, is also reported in a mix of automated and manual means. As the disposition reporting levels approach the target goals over the next two years, programs will be run to compare the number of dispositions with incarceration sentences against the number of incarcerations reported. Release data will be crosschecked by comparing release data in the CCH database against Department of Corrections data base release information.
Second, Applied Research Services (ARS) serves as the research partner with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCC) Statistical Analysis Center (SAC). GCIC shares criminal history record information with ARS under a special research agreement. ARS engages in detailed analysis of the CCH data in conjunction with linked data from the Department of Corrections, the Board of Pardons and Parole, and the states Protective Order Registry. As part of this agreement, ARS provides support to the U.S. Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative in cooperation with the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia. In the Middle District, for example, ARS and GCIC support "Operation Elimi-Con". This federal initiative uses GCIC automated criminal history, corrections, and parole data to identify high risk offenders in the Task Force area. A secure web-based method was developed for coordinating and disseminating offender information to Task Force members. A similar effort is underway in Atlanta and DeKalb counties. These efforts underscore GBI/GCIC continued commitment to using CCH data in innovative ways to assist law enforcement and state policy makers.
d. 95% of the current arrest records should be flagged as to felony status. A reasonable attempt must be made to improve the flagging of felonies in existing records with a goal of achieving such flagging for 90% of the arrest records over the past five years. If this proves impossible, Georgia must describe attempts to obtain 90% and the reasons why that level could not be reached.
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Status: This goal has been achieved; Georgia has already flagged all of its criminal history records with felony conviction, misdemeanor conviction or unknown. Georgia was the second state to ratify the Interstate Compact for Interstate Identification Index data sharing. As a participant in the Interstate Identification Index (III), Georgia records have been and remain available through the III. Every effort has been made and will continue to be made to reduce the number of unknown status records. Current dispositions all require the setting of the above-mentioned flag for felony or misdemeanor convictions prior to update of the CCH record. Delinquent dispositions also require the setting of this flag prior to updating the CCH record. Georgia also incorporated the new requirement for misdemeanor domestic violence conviction disqualification status. In August 2007, Georgia became the 10th NFF state.
2. Full Automation of Criminal History and Fingerprint Records (Four Strategies)
a. All criminal history records from the past five years must be automated.
Status: This goal has been achieved. All criminal history records within the repository are fully automated.
b. All master name index records from the past five years must be automated.
Status: This goal has been achieved. All master name index records within the repository are fully automated.
c. New records for offenders with prior manual records must be entered into the automated files, including the preexisting manual record.
Status: This goal has been achieved. All new records for offenders are entered into the automated files. Since there are no preexisting manual records for these records that point is moot.
d. Procedures must be established to ensure all records related to felony offenses are entered into the automated system within 30 days of receipt by the central repository and all other records are entered within 90 days.
Status: With the elimination of the arrest fingerprint card backlog, the goal of entering all felony offenses into the automated system within 30 days of receipt by the central repository has been met. In fact, the average time to enter this data into the repository is less than one week from date of receipt for manual submissions. Furthermore, the successful upgrade of the AFIS to receive electronic fingerprints supports a 24-hou-a-day, seven-day-a-week operation. Electronic submissions account for 93% of the criminal fingerprint card workload. Electronic fingerprints are processed and CCH files are updated on average within 15 minutes of time of receipt. The elimination of the disposition report backlog means that reports of final disposition data and other types of documents are updated well within the 30-day time frame for felonies. In fact, all arrests and dispositions are applied to the CCH database well within 30 days of receipt of document. The
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ongoing automation effort in disposition reporting allows for update of the CCH database within the same day the disposition is entered at the local site.
3. Increased Reporting to the FBI (Two Strategies)
a. Fingerprints taken at arrest and/or confinement are submitted to the state repository and, when appropriate, to the FBI CJIS Division. The state repository, when appropriate, shall forward such fingerprints to the FBI/CJIS Division within two weeks of receipt.
Status: Georgia has operated under a mandatory reporting law for all documents related to fingerprinting and dispositions since 1973. The Local Audit Team project ensures compliance with the provisions of this law. Moreover, because of the elimination of the criminal card backlog and GCIC's electronic interface with the FBI, all fingerprints which are manually received are sent to the FBI within hours of receipt by the repository because they are all scanned into the Georgia AFIS and then electronically transmitted to the FBI. In addition, electronic fingerprints (currently 93% of the current criminal card workload) are sent from local law enforcement agencies, processed by the Georgia AFIS, and sent on to the FBI on average within 2 hours of receipt of the electronic submission by GCIC. In August 2007 Georgia became the 10th NFF state and now all criminal fingerprint cards that do not have an established record at the FBI are transmitted electronically to the FBI's CJIS division.
b. Final dispositions are reported to the state repository and, when appropriate, to the FBI CJIS Division within 90 days after the disposition is known.
Status: Presently, the processing of all manual dispositions is outsourced to a private vendor. On average, approximately 13,100 dispositions per day are processed by the vendor, with a maximum contractual obligation of 25,000 per month. During the month of November 2007, GCIC received 28,946 electronic dispositions. The remaining paper dispositions take an average of 78 days to process after receipt. However, Georgia now has become a National Fingerprint File (NFF) Index State which means that all dispositions will be submitted to the State repository on a monthly basis. In this situation, all dispositions (delinquent and current) are submitted in the same manner.
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4. Support the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
One goal in the CJRI Plan was outlined in the U.S. Attorney General's letter to the Governor of Georgia dated May 27, 1994. It identifies percentages of complete records within the last five years sharable through the Interstate Identification Index (III).
a. December 1998 - 75% of Georgia Current/Sharable Records Complete. December 1999 - 80% of Georgia Current/Sharable Records Complete. December 2000 - Up to 100% of Georgia Current/Sharable Records Complete.
Status: All of Georgia's records (that are applicable) are shared with III. GCIC serves as the point of contact for NICS in the state of Georgia.
5. Child Protection Law Requirements
This is a tightly focused goal to improve the completeness and accuracy of child abuse records as outlined in the U.S. Attorney General's letter to the Governor of Georgia dated June 20, 1994.
a. Membership in III
X
80% Complete for Identifiable Child Abuse Records
Up to 100% Complete and Available On-Line
Dec. 96 Dec. 00
Status: As shown by the "X", Georgia is already a member of III. Subsequent to the June 20, 1994 letter, the National Child Protection Task Group recommended to the Attorney General that this specific set of goals be incorporated into the overall Brady and CJRI goals. The Task Group explained there was lack of funding for this Act. Furthermore, the tight focus on specific child abuse crimes left out other child abuse crimes reported as assaults, rapes, etc. As stated in the CJRI Plan, Georgia's overall emphasis on automation, collection of delinquent dispositions and source agency auditing is designed to increase the overall percentage of complete criminal history records for the past five years. As reported in other sections, the plan is making significant progress that will help meet the overall goal of this requirement.
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6. Stalking, Domestic Violence, and Protection Orders
a. To plan for the collection and entry of data within these categories for use by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and other authorized parties.
Status: In May 1997, the FBI installed a National Protection Order file and GCIC implemented the programs to access and update this federal file. During the 2001 session of the Georgia General Assembly, a law was passed giving the GCIC authority for the development and operation of a state protective order registry. This system, which became operational in September 2002, is a web- based system that tracks protective orders and forwards relevant data to the national file. In May 2004, the registry received additional data field enhancements, which included four new respondent data fields and three additional data fields. In July 2004, changes were implemented to send the new data fields to NCIC. In October 2005, this project received additional grant funds to purchase a scanner to scan protection order images into Georgia's Protective Order Registry.
The registry is populated with images and NCIC data entered by Georgias 159 Superior Court Clerks. As of November 2007, a total of 125,479 orders have been accepted into the state protective order registry, with 7,869 active orders and 117,610 inactive orders.
Georgia has registered 7,416 Active Protective Orders with NCIC; 94% of active orders on the Georgia registry are on NCIC. In December 2007, in an effort to continue to increase the usage and productivity of the POR registry, the GBI hired a contract programmer to re-design and enhance the system. The program enhancements will include: (1) Improved record data quality; (2) Expanded input capabilities; (3) Improved reporting functions; (4) Provide better information sharing for local law enforcement agencies and the National Crime Information Center; (5) Provide greater flexibility to respond to additional updates and/or improvements as dictated by future operational needs; (6) Allow for one central location for agencies to update/modify protective order records.
7. Violent Sexual Offender Registry
a. Georgia must institute a violent sexual offender registry that meets the requirements of the Federal sexual offender statutes.
Status: Georgia has successfully implemented a Violent Sexual Offender Registry containing over 14,887 offenders. The Georgia General Assembly has provided state funding to keep this registry in operation. Recent enhancements to the registry include automating the process to allow local and state law enforcement agencies to submit or update records electronically and the ability to capture and store mug shots and the addition of the image archive system. The sex offender registration forms, photos, and modification documents are being added to the image archive system daily. There has been a significant increase in the number of records in the registry that have a mug shot
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associated with an offender's registry record. Currently, 99% of the sex offender's records are stored with mug shot images.
In 1998, BJS announced the National Sex Offender Registry Assistance Program (NSOR-AP) which provides funding to states to meet the federal requirements for sex offender registration that were established by the Jacob Wetterling Act, Pam Lychner Act and Megan's Law. Through this program, Georgia was awarded $569,911 to automate the submission of data to the sex offender registry. The GBI collaborated with the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles to accomplish this goal. These funds were used to automate the submission of information to the registry; it was also used to create the ability to capture a mug shot of each offender on the registry. This information is posted on the GBI's website to supplement the notification efforts that are currently in place throughout the state. Essentially, this project allows the local probation or parole officer to have a direct connection to supply the registration information to the GBI through the placement of a PC and a digital camera in all
probation and parole offices in the state. By having this system in place, we dramatically reduced the amount of time that it takes to register an offender and post the appropriate information on the GBI's official website, located at http://www.ganet.org/gbi.
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III. Separate Projects CJRI Plan
1. Local Audit Team (Byrne/JAG Grant Funds)
GCIC has received federal funds under the Byrne/JAG Program for criminal history record improvement since 1996 for GCIC auditors to travel throughout the State of Georgia to conduct performance audits of Georgia criminal justice agencies. The main focus of the grant auditors is reporting to GCIC arrest fingerprint cards and corresponding final disposition information as required by state statute. In addition, grant staff research local court and other criminal justice files seeking final disposition information that has not been previously reported for arrests that are on the CCH file/database. The table below outlines yearly grant awards and activities.
Fiscal Year
FY 96 FY 97 FY 98 FY 99 FY 00 FY 01 FY 02 FY 03 FY 04 FY 05 FY 06
GCIC Audit Team Performance
Amount Awarded
Audits Conducted
$311,920 $250,000 $251,666 $250,000 $300,000 $300,000 $300,000 $300,000 $325,000 $286,611 $177,087
311 Audits 330 Audits 245 Audits 261 Audits** 309 Audits** 433 Audits 206 Audits** 272 Audits*** 134 Audits* 507 Audits 1,158 Audits
Delinquent Dispositions Collected 28,664 dispositions 27,007 dispositions 22,899 dispositions 13,822 dispositions* 9,424 dispositions* 15,281 dispositions 10,740 dispositions** 11,620 dispositions*** 5,222 dispositions* 5,163 dispositions* 15,971 dispositions
* Program experienced personnel turnover resulting in reduced activity over the part of this and the following project years.
** Decline in dispositions again due to staffing problems and the loan of staff to research and collect delinquent dispositions for Fulton County.
***Some audit team members were assigned to headquarters to conduct research on open felony arrests on behalf of the Firearms Program.
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2. Judicial Automation (Byrne/JAG Grant Funds)
Activities under this Special Project Category were funded from FY 96, FY97, FY 98, and FY 99 Awards and reported in previous years. Substantial progress was made in automating the court disposition data from all 159 Superior Court Clerk's offices. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks provide electronic collection and transmission of disposition data to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA). The GSCCCA then transmits the disposition data to the GCIC. All court automation vendors were required to meet GCIC and GSCCCA guidelines for reporting dispositions.
3. Live Scan Purchases & Upgrades (Byrne/JAG Grant Funds; NCHIP Grant Funds)
Byrne 5% set-aside money was used from FY 1996 through FY 2005 for the purchase and/or upgrade of live scan devices to submit fingerprint images and data electronically to GCIC. Due to a decrease in the FY 2006 Byrne/JAG Award and the receipt of additional funds from NCHIP, no additional funds were provided for the Live Scan Project.
As part of the NCHIP 1999 grant $448,528 was awarded to GCIC for the purchase or upgrade of live scan devices for local agencies to submit fingerprint images and data electronically to GCIC. $301, 240 was awarded to GCIC in the NCHIP 2000 grant for the purchase or upgrade of live scan devices for local agencies to submit fingerprint images and data electronically via the Internet. GCIC was awarded $79,351.00 in the NCHIP 2001 grant funds to implement the process of live scan/mug shots submission. The mug shot system enables local law enforcement to submit mug shot images with each fingerprint submission to GCIC.
As described under the first section, Georgia has used Byrne/JAG 5% set-aside money and NCHIP grant funds to support the installation of live scan devices in local law enforcement agencies throughout the state, with 248 live scan sites submitting electronic fingerprint cards for approximately 654 agencies. Live scan sites represent 93% of total electronic and hard card criminal receipts and 59% of applicant electronic and hard card receipts. A total of 100% of all criminal fingerprint cards are submitted to the FBI electronically.
4. CJIS Security Network (NCHIP Grant Funds)
$244,928.00 was awarded to GCIC in the NCHIP 2002 grant to implement a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for the states criminal justice community. The VPN allows for data encryption and two-factor authentication that meet FBI security requirements. The Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) developed and implemented a mechanism for the issuance of user IDs and passwords for local agencies. GTA, in conjunction with GBI/GCIC personnel, continues to work with local criminal justice agencies in adding users to the VPN.
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5. Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) T-Net Upgrade (NCHIP Grant Funds)
$732,700.00 was awarded to GCIC in the NCHIP 2003 grant to enhance the AFIS Transaction Management System (TNET) system. This process will allow the state to improve data availability, data completeness and enhance the computerized criminal history system by accepting electronic custodial and court disposition records. GCIC is in the process of upgrading the TNET system. This upgrade includes enhancements that provide for faster identification responses for criminal and applicant fingerprint records submitted to GCIC and the FBI for processing via live scan or in the US mail. In addition, the TNET upgrade allows for the acceptance of an electronic FBI rap sheet. Local agencies can request an FBI rap sheet through a live scan submission. If the FBI rap sheet is requested the rap sheet is returned to that agency's live scan system. A future upgrade to AFIS will support the electronic receipt of court dispositions and custodial information, allowing a quicker update of criminal history record information. In addition, the upgrade will ensure that comprehensive data is available to support background checks on persons employed in or licensed for sensitive positions and support the increasing need for criminal history record information available for authorized non-criminal justice purposes.
6. Criminal Justice Message Switch (NCHIP Grant Funds)
$301,300.00 was awarded to GCIC in the NCHIP 2003 grant to create and implement a message service for the criminal justice community to utilize. The message switch will be used to administer and control the flow of data messages between various criminal justice systems. The primary functions include message routing, distribution, and the exchange of binary objects (images, fingerprints, and other non-text objects) among local, state and national criminal justice users and databases. An RFP was developed and released for bidding. Unisys was selected the vendor to develop and implement the message switch system and in May 2006 the message switch moved into an operational status.
7. Automation of the UCR Program (NCHIP Grant Funds)
During FY04, an additional $349,351 was awarded to GBI to fund the automation of the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. UCR is a mix of incident based reporting (through diskette submission or via file transfer protocol FTP) and summary reporting through paper Return-A forms key entered by GCIC outsource vendor Bobby Dodd. This mix of incident records and summaries run through a set of programs that reduce all to summaries for each agency. The data stored on the mainframe produces the final output for the FBI. To reduce GCICs activity in the processing of UCR data and still meet all deadlines, the use of the Web was chosen to provide a short term solution to the paper entry but also as a longer term tool to create a more flexible, robust and less employee dependent UCR system.
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8. Live Scan (NCHIP Grant Funds)
$263,890.00 was awarded to GCIC in NCHIP 2005 grant to upgrade the live scan OS2 security requirement. Agencies using a live scan device to transmit transactions electronically to GCIC with the OS2 operating system have to be upgraded to an operating system that supports the VPN software. This is to ensure all live scan agencies are in compliance with the FBI's CJIS Security policy that requires an end-to-end encryption of CJIS data.
9. Upgrade of AFIS/Juvenile Submissions (State Funds)
Due to a change in Georgia law requiring the submission of juvenile fingerprints, an additional $1.1 million was awarded through state funded appropriations for an upgrade to AFIS to accept juvenile submissions. This project has been completed and the Georgia AFIS is now capable of processing and receiving juvenile submissions.
10. Computerized Criminal History (CCH) Redesign (State Funds)
In addition to NCHIP grant funds, the GBI has secured $12,078,533 in state funds to supplement the funding for the Message Switch, CCH Redesign, and local agency Electronic Mug Shot Interface projects. The goal of the CCH Redesign Project was to redesign and modernize Georgia's 35 year old CCH System. The CCH redesign project moved the legacy system to a new web-based platform with graphical interfaces and a relational database that allowed for increases access and use, provides greater flexibility in retrieval and presentation of data, and allowed for more effective and efficient processing.
GCIC entered into a contract with Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) to analyze and document the current Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. GTRI was responsible for providing the research and analytical capability to document the database, data definitions and the various programs and modules. In addition, GTRI developed database conversion rules to aid in the migration of the current CCH database to its new schema. This was the first phase of the CCH project, which was completed on October 31, 2002. The second phase of the CCH project was the replacement of the 35-year old legacy CCH system, beginning in 2006. In August 2007 the new CCH system went into an operational status and Georgia became the 10th NFF state.
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Attachment A CJRI Subcommittee Members
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Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Criminal Justice Records Improvement Subcommittee
Terri Fisher, Chair
Assistant Deputy Director for Plans and Program Development Georgia Crime Information Center P.O. Box 370748 Decatur, Georgia 30037-0748 404-270-8647/FAX 404-270-8643 e-mail: Terri.Fisher@gbi.state.ga.us
Chief John W. Harden, Vice-Chair Sandersville Police Department 130 Malone Street Sandersville, GA 31082 PHONE: 478-552-1818 e-mail: spd100@sandersville.net
L. Gale Buckner State Board of Pardons and Paroles 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE Suite 458, Balcony Level, East Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4909 PHONE: 404- 656-5651 Debra Nesbit Administrative Office of the Courts 244 Washington Street, SW Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30034 PHONE: 404-651-7616 e-mail: nesbitd@gaaoc.us
Col. Arnold Smith (Ret.) Georgia Department of Corrections East Tower, Room 758 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Mr. Richard A. Malone
Executive Director Prosecuting Attorneys Council (PAC) 104 Marietta Street NW, Suite 400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2743 PHONE: 404-969-4001/FAX 404-969-0020 e-mail: rmalone@pacga.org
Ms. Jean H. Rogers Crisp County Superior Court Clerk P.O. Box 747 Cordele, GA 31010 PHONE: 912-276-2616/FAX 912-276-2627 e-mail: jean.rogers@gsccca.org Sheriff Lynn M. Anderson Bulloch County Sheriff's Office 17257 US-301, North Statesboro, Georgia 30458-7500 (912) 764-8888/FAX (912) 764-2917 e-mail: lynn@BullochSheriff.com
Cindy Wang Georgia Public Defenders Standards Council 104 Marietta St., Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30303 PHONE: (404) 232-8900/FAX (404) 651-5706 e-mail: cwang@gpdsc.org
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APPENDIX B DRUG VALUE CHART
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Standard Distribution
FROM:
William J. Malueg Deputy Director for Investigations
DATE:
July 20, 2007
RE:
Standardized Drug Values
Drug values will be calculated as follows beginning with fiscal year 2008:
MARIJUANA
Sinsemilla Commercial Hashish Hydroponic
Gram
30
Ounce
300
125
200
Pound
4,500
1,200
3,000
5,000
Cannabis Pound/Plants (One Pound Per Plant)
NOTE: Marijuana will be identified as Sinsemilla, Commercial, or Hydroponic
COCAINE
Rock Gram Ounce Pound Kilo
Powder Cocaine
100 1,000 11,000 21,000
Crack Cocaine 40 125 700
12,500 23,000
METHAMPHETAMINE
Powder
Gram
100
Ounce
600
Pound 9,000
Crystal Meth "Ice" 110 1,200
14,000
HEROIN Gram Ounce Pound Kilo
400 5,500 60,000 150,000
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OTHER
Barbiturate Dilaudid GHB Hydrocodone LSD MDMA "Ecstasy" OxyContin (10 mg) OxyContin (20 mg) Percocet Rohypnol Stimulants Xanax
Per Dosage 5 50 25 10 10 20 15 40 5 10 5 5
The drug value information in the Case Management System will reflect these values.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
WMJ:nla
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