TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly, on behalf of the Kansas Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (KCJCC), announced on Thursday the 2025 grant awards for the Federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

The JAG funds are provided to criminal justice system partners to address crime and improve public safety across Kansas. Specifically, the JAG awards made to local and state agencies fund programs designed to reduce and prevent crime, assist with equipment and technology needs and provide crime victim services.

The JAG program represents a collaborative partnership among federal, state and local governments to create safer communities and improve criminal justice systems. It provides critical funding to support a range of program areas such as law enforcement, corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, technology improvement, prevention activities, crime victim services, and mental health programs.

The KCJCC oversees the criminal justice federal funding made available to Kansas through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The KCJCC membership is representative of the Governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Corrections, the Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

A total of $1,924,842 was awarded to 26 agencies. Included in the distribution was the Meade County Sheriff’s Office receiving $40,000.00