HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND (SLESF)&Cii O
AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2012
TO: JEFFREY C. PARKER, CITY MANAGER
FROM: SCOTT M. JORDAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
Agenda Item 1
Reviewed:
City Manager
Finance Director
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND (SLESF)
SUMMARY
In 1996, AB 3229 established the Citizen's Option for Public Safety (COPS) grant
program. Proceeds from the program can only be used for front line law enforcement
services that may include the purchase of new equipment, hiring of additional personnel
and increasing the opportunity for training of safety personnel. For FY 2012 -13, we have
been notified that the Police Department is estimated to receive $100,000 in SLESF
funding. The allocation for SLESF /COPS grant funds for all law enforcement agencies is
being coordinated through the Orange County Sheriff's Department. All agencies have
been directed to move forward with expenditure authorization while waiting for the final
grant amounts to be determined.
The Police Department is proposing that this year's allocation be used to staff the Crime
Analyst position for a seventh consecutive year. Money remaining after funding this
position, if any, will be applied to crime analysis software licensing and upgrades. In
addition, there is carry-over money from the last two fiscal years. It is recommended
that the money be used to purchase a mobile license plate recognition system. This bill
requires both a public hearing and a special fund established for these monies.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Open and close a Public Hearing;
2. Authorize usage of the funds as recommended by the Police Department;
3. Authorize the Chief of Police to sign all documents related to SLESF program.
4. Appropriate from unappropriated reserves of the Supplemental law Enforcement
Services Fund (Fund 136) in the amount of $25,000 for the acquisition of the
mobile license plate recognition system.
SLESF 2012 -2013
September 4, 2012
Page 2 of 2
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff has been contacted by the County Grant Coordinator and advised to expect a
distribution equal to last year's expected amount, indicating there will be $100,000 in
funding. Exact amounts have not been determined by the County at this time.
In addition to this year's funding, the Police Department has carry-over funding from the
years 2010 -11 and 2011 -12 in the amount of $26,353.51.
BACKGROUND
Since the inception, SLESF /COPS program funding has been used to fund personnel,
provide for anti -crime prevention programs, and to purchase new technology for general
law enforcement purposes. It is the intent of the Police Department to continue the
funding of the extremely critical position of Crime Analyst. With the recent influx of
AB109 population, the Crime Analyst plays an important part in monitoring this specific
group. The position of Crime Analyst has been funded by SLESF for the past six years.
Funding will be distributed in four installment payments. While this program remains
unstable due to the state's budget issues, the commitment to $100,000 in grant funding
is being funded through Vehicle License Fees.
Per Finance Department estimates, the FY 2012 -13 costs to fund the Crime Analyst
position will be $96,372. If, in fact, funding in excess of this amount is received,
expenditure intent would be to devote these funds to keeping crime analysis software
licensing fees current and obtain any upgrades necessary to the keep the position state
of the art.
We would also request to utilize the carry-over SLESF grant funds for the one time
purchase of a mobile license plate recognition (LPR) system. This system would consist
of a multiple -angle camera system with LPR technology, an independent power source
and a host vehicle (trailer). The goal of this project is to possess the ability to place the
system at various public locations throughout the city for either covert investigative use
or visible deterrence. A mobile LPR system can provide our department with significant
advantages in the investigation of various crimes. Since license plate information is
stored for a limited amount of time, the ability exists for an investigator /crime analyst to
utilize "data mining" to ultimately provide leads and solve crimes. Since we currently
have other LPR systems in place in some of the police vehicles, the back end software
is already built out and functioning well. The proposed mobile system will integrate
seamlessly with our current structure. We estimate the total cost of the system to be
between $20,000 and $25,000.
GH V /
SCOTT M. J DAN MARY N * OTNY
Chief of Police Field Support Division Manager