This publication describes the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program, through which the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) provides leadership and guidance and works with State and local criminal justice agencies on crime and violence prevention and control.
BJA develops and tests new approaches in criminal justice and crime control and encourages replication of effective programs and practices by State and local criminal justice agencies. The Byrne Program emphasizes controlling violent and drug-related crime and serious offenders and fosters multijurisdictional and multistate efforts to support national drug control priorities. BJA makes Byrne Program funds available through discretionary funds awarded directly to public and private agencies and private nonprofit organizations and through formula funds awarded to States, which then make subawards to State and local units of government. Appropriations for fiscal year 2001 amounted to more than $78 million for discretionary grants and $500 million for formula grants. Funds may be used to implement programs that carry out any of 28 legislatively authorized purposes. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 mandates that all programs funded under the Byrne Program be evaluated. Table and source of further information