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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 SLESF 09-19-05 AGENDA REPORT Agenda Item 4 Reviewed: f! City Manager Finance Director MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 TO: WilLIAM HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT 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. This year, we have been notified that the Police Department is to receive no less than $107,000.00 and no more than $110,000.00 in SLESF funding. This year the allocation for SLESF/COPS grant funds for all law enforcement agencies is being coordinated through the Orange County Sheriff's Department and all agencies have been directed to move forward with expenditure authorization while waiting for the final grant amounts to be determined. We are proposing that $52,000.00 of this year's allocation be used to purchase a new unmarked patrol vehicle for exclusive use by the Department's Gang Unit. The remaining funds, no less than $55,000.00 and no more than $58,000.00 would be used to purchase new digital camera technology for use by the entire police department. The bill requires both a public hearing and a special fund for these monies. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Open and close a Public Hearing. 2. Authorize usage of the funds as recommended by the Police Department. FISCAL IMPACT: Between $107,000.00 and $110,000.00 in Grant Fund expenditures. balance will be expended. The entire account BACKGROUND: Since the inception, SLESF/COPS grant program funding has been used to partially fund our Gang Unit, provide for anti-crime prevention programs, and to purchase new technology for general law enforcement purposes. The $52,000.00 in funds allocated for a Gang Unit vehicle will provide an unmarked patrol vehicle with complete equipment outfitting (I.e. radio, interior mounted emergency light bar, mobile audio video camera system, weaponry and safety mounts). This will allow members of the Gang Unit to operate in a more stealth manner while they are patrolling. The Gang Unit does not currently have unmarked vehicles with the necessary safety and emergency equipment to allow them to address the existing gang crime problem in the city. The balance of the funds, estimated to be between $55,000.00 and $58,000.00 depending on the final allocation determination, will be used to purchase an integrated digital camera system that will combine the latest digital photo technology and the use of a stand alone computer storage system to retain and re-produce photographic evidence for use in investigating and prosecuting criminal activity. As required, the Public Hearing Notice was published and is attached for reference. jk.ì-ìs /7/ ~ SCOTT M. Jg~~AN Chief of Police SJ:ms OFFICIAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the City Council, of the City of Tustin, will conduct a public hearing on September 19, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, California to consider the following: THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S USE OF CITIZEN'S OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND (SLESF) STATE GRANT MONIES TO PURCHASE AN UNMARKED GANG UNIT PATROL VEHICLE AND A DIGITAL CAMERA SYSTEM WHICH INCORPORATES COMPUTER STORAGE OF EVIDENCE PHOTOGRAPHS. This grant will be used to purchase a completely equipped unmarked patrol vehicle for the use of the Department Gang Unit in anti gang crime suppression patrol duties. The digital camera system will allow for the issuance of a new digital camera to each police officer and support personnel assigned to investigate and prosecute criminal activity with computerized storage of photographic evidence. If you challenge the subject items in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at a public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Tustin at, or prior to, the Public Hearing. If you require special accommodations to attend this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (714) 573-3025. Information relative to this item is on file with the Tustin Police Department and is available for public inspection at City Hall. Anyone interested in the information above may call the Police Department at (714) 573-3285. Maria Huizar Chief Deputy City Clerk Publish: Tustin News, DATE