ISABELLA COUNTY -- A Northern Michigan community is getting some federal help to fight crime.

Governor Granholm announced that 42 different state, county and local criminal justice agencies will receive $8.3 million in federal grants to help strengthen crime-fighting efforts.

The funding is made possible through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program. Byrne JAG funds can be used to support all aspects of the criminal justice system, including multi-jurisdictional drug task forces, community policing and community prosecution, priority population drug courts, innovative technology, crime lab assistance program and technology enhancement projects.

The Mt. Pleasant City Police Department is getting a $250,000 reward to implement a countywide records management system.

Approximately one year ago a workgroup was formed of local law enforcement partners from Central Michigan University, Isabella County Sheriff, Mt. Pleasant Police, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal, and Shepherd Police Departments.

The membership included agency administrators, records professionals, and information technology specialists. The group's goal was to develop a common records management system, which would provide interoperability for public safety within the Isabella County region. This committee assessed current equipment, infrastructure and identified needs for implementing information sharing practices.

This grant will allow law enforcement agencies in Isabella County to establish a county-wide information sharing system that supports intelligence led policing at local, state, and national levels by connecting independent domains through interoperable structures.

The new records management system is designed to: improve the capacity of the criminal justice system; improve operations and partnerships; increase cost efficiency in managing and allocating resources; increase crime solvability; and provide responsive law enforcement services.