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Asbury Park Police Department has been named a recipient of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant [JAG].

The $52,746 federal grant will be utilized for the city’s e-citation program, Acting Police Chief Anthony Salerno said.

“The computerized program is used for issuing traffic and parking summonses,” Salerno said. “It is the latest technology that provides communication between the police department and the court system in a fast and efficient manner.”

The Byrne JAG program awards grants to states and units of local government, including tribes, to prevent and control crime, according to new release from U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr’s office, [D-NJ]. The funds may be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice.

“Local law enforcement must have the resources they need to keep our communities safe,” Pallone said. “I am pleased to announce this much deserved federal support for Asbury Park and help in the police department’s efforts to improve public safety.”

Salerno said the grant will save the costs associated with printing summonses as well help speed up the process of making the officer more productive by lessoning the time spent during a motor vehicle stop.

“All we have to do is swipe a license and all the information goes directly to the court system,” Salerno said.

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