HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/01/2010, C5 - FY 2010 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION council 6/1/10
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C I T Y OF S AN L U IS O B I S P O
FROM: Deborah Linden, Chief of Police ULI
Prepared By: Melissa Ellsworth, Senior Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: FY 2010 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE
GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize staff to submit an application for a 2010 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
Assistance Grant in the amount of $16,847 to purchase crime prevention and detection
technology and to fund officer training.
2. If the grant is awarded,authorize the City Manager to execute necessary grant documents.
DISCUSSION
Grant Program Information
The U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to the State and local
jurisdictions. JAG funds may be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training,
personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and criminal justice information systems for
any of the following purpose areas:
1. Law enforcement programs.
2. Prosecution and court programs.
3. Prevention and education programs.
4. Corrections and community corrections programs.
5. Drug treatment and enforcement programs.
6. Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.
7. Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).
The JAG Program is a non-competitive formula grant and the funding allocation is based on the
population and crime rate of the local jurisdiction. The amount available to the City of San Luis
Obispo for FY 2010 is $16,847. Awards are made in the first fiscal year of the appropriation and
may be expended during the following three years. JAG Program funds must be used to
supplement existing state and local funds for program activities and must not replace those funds
that have been appropriated for the same purpose.
The Department of Justice requires that the City's grant application be made available for review
by the Council at least 30 days before the application is submitted and members of the public
must have an opportunity to comment on the application. Applications for this grant program are
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Application for FY 2010 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program Page 2
due by June 30, 2010. Placement of this item on the Council's June 1, 2010 meeting agenda
fulfills these requirements.
Proposed Use of Grant Funds
Staff proposes utilizing the grant money to purchase the following equipment:
1. Portable video camera system. Certain types of crimes are difficult to prevent and
successfully solve due to the lack of witnesses and identifiable evidence, such as
vandalism and graffiti crimes. The use of a portable video camera that can be temporarily
set up in areas where these types of crimes are being committed can be an effective tool
for capturing images of suspects and their vehicles, and for preventing repeat incidents of
these crimes. For example, in 2008 French Park was repeatedly damaged by vandals,
costing the City thousands of dollars in repair costs. Staff would comply with the City's
video surveillance policy regarding the use of the camera system for investigative
purposes.
2. Voice Activated Radio Dispatched Alarm system (VARDA). A VARDA system is a
portable alarm that can be placed at a particular location that has been repeatedly
burglarized oris at high risk of being burglarized. When the alarm is activated, the
system broadcasts the location of the alarm over the police radio system using a pre-
recorded message. The Police Department's current VARDA system is very outdated and
in need of replacement.
Staff is in the process of researching manufacturers and obtaining current prices for the video
system and VARDA alarm; however staff is confident that both items can be purchased within
the amount of grant funds available. Should grant funds remain after the purchase of these items,
staff proposes using the remainder of the grant money to fund advanced training for investigators
in topics such as cybercrime and non-stranger sexual assault investigation.
CONCURRENCES
The Director of the Finance and Information Technology Department concurs with the staff
recommendation.
FISCAL IMPACT
City matching funds are not required for this grant. The City may draw down any or all JAG funds
after acceptance of the award. To do so, a trust fund must be established in order to maintain the
funds separate from the general fund. Some staff time within the Police Department will be
required to research and purchase the video camera and VARDA equipment. No additional
resources are needed to support this effort.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Modify the staff recommendation. Council may direct staff to apply for the JAG funds for
a different purpose, as long as the use is consistent with the purpose areas described in this
report.
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Application for FY 2010 Edward Byme Memorial JAG Program Page 3
2. Do not submit a grant application. Council may direct staff to not submit a grant
application. The alternative is not recommended: The JAG Program is non-competitive and
the funds have already been allocated to our City upon application, as long as the use is
consistent with the purpose areas described in this report.
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