Report Prepared by: Lance Eber, Crime Analyst, Police
Title
SUBJECT: Authorization to Accept $39,276 in Grant Funds from the 2021 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for the Police Department to Equip a Police Vehicle as a Community Outreach and Recruitment Vehicle, Upgrade Video Camera System for Police Interview Rooms, and Cover Consulting Costs for the Transition from the Uniform Crime Reporting Summary Process to the National Incident Based Reporting System
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting grant funding from the US Department of Justice offered to the Merced Police Department in the amount of $39,276 from the 2021 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program to equip a police vehicle as a community outreach and recruitment vehicle, upgrade the video camera system for the police interview rooms, and consulting costs for the transition from the Uniform Crime Reporting Summary process to the National Incident Based Reporting System.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting the grant and increasing the revenue budget in account 050-1025-321.17-00 by $39,276, and appropriating the same to Fund 050; and,
B. Approving the use of pooled cash until reimbursement is received from the grant; and,
C. Authorizing the Police Department and the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2021-22 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individual and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.
The JAG program solicits applications from eligible tribes, and units of local government for local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, as well as research and evaluation activities that will improve or enhance the following areas:
• Law enforcement programs
• Prosecution and court programs
• Prevention and education programs
• Corrections and community corrections programs
• Drug treatment and enforcement programs
• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs
• Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation)
JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.
The Merced Police Department submitted a timely application to receive grant funding for the 2021 JAG grant program. The City of Merced was eligible to request funding up to the amount of $39,276. This amount is established by the DOJ. There is no match requirement on this grant award.
JAG funds were requested to spend $1,179 (3% of the award amount) for consulting on the mandatory change to the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) as mandated by the FBI. All applications were required to request 3% of their award for this purpose.
We requested funds to convert a police vehicle into a full-fledged, fully dedicated “Community Vehicle” to be used at community events such as National Night Out, parades, farmers’ markets, county fair, photo opportunities, community police academy, and recruitment at police academies. Items requested were: $3,000 for light bar, $30 for LED light kit, $65 for brake paint kit, $2,000 for upgraded wheels, $1,262 for vehicle vinyl wrap.
Lastly, we requested $31,740 to upgrade video cameras in our interview rooms in our investigation unit housed at the central police station. We currently use evidence.com to store video/photo footage from on-board cameras in our vehicles along with video/photo footage from body-cameras. Evidence.com also has the ability to set up cameras in our interview room and the footage can be streamed from any computer with internet access. The footage is then stored at Evidence.com. The new system will integrate with our existing system of storing video/photo footage from on-board vehicle cameras and officer body cameras. The new system will also allow us to free up one more office of the old equipment since interviews can be seen on any computer with internet access. We would create two interview rooms with approval of this project. The costs are for annual access costs for hardware, internet access, and cloud storage. The five-year subscription will be paid up front in order to take advantage of available discounts.
The grant requires that the application and subsequent award be made available in a public meeting and that the public has an opportunity to comment on the acceptance of the funding before it is accepted by the City. Notification was given to City Council over 30 days ago on the award notification.
History and Past Actions
In 2010, MPD set aside $12,000 for SWAT equipment; $40,000 for digital voice recorders; $6,400 for high quality digital camera equipment; and, $7,797 for Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program.
In 2011, MPD set aside $59,163 to fund a part time Animal Control Officer.
In 2012, MPD set aside $43,226 for part time personnel; and, $5,200 for travel/registration costs associated with trainings.
In 2013, MPD set aside $17,295 for part time personnel; and, $28,000 for equipment/technology.
In 2014, MPD set aside $30,086 for part time personnel; and, $20,789 for equipment/technology.
In 2015, MPD set aside $15,208 for part time personnel; and, $30,840 for equipment/technology.
In 2016, MPD set aside $26,557 for hiring personnel; and, $25,092 to purchase new canines and the related training and equipment.
In 2017, MPD set aside $19,650 for additional cell phones with service and covers; and, $26,890 for crowd control supplies; and, $1,740 for software licenses.
In 2018, MPD set aside $13,000 for new tasers; and, mandatory 3% at $1,626 for the mandatory transition from UCR to IBR as mandated by the FBI; and, $30,000 for licensing costs to integrate body worn cameras with our computer aided dispatch system and our records management system.
In 2019, MPD set aside $20,000 for personal wellness software application; and, mandatory 3% at $1,276 for the mandatory transition from UCR to IBR as mandated by the FBI; and, $10,033 for cell phone service; and, $7,880 for ballistic shields; and, $3,324 for first aid/emergency supplies to be stored in supervisor patrol vehicles.
In 2020, MPD set aside mandatory 3% at $977 for the mandatory transition from UCR to IBR as mandated by the FBI; and, $3,425 for a new storage shed at the range; and, $13,455 for new spike strips that are stored in patrol vehicles and used for slowing/stopping vehicles; and, $11,220 to purchase Rifles (AR-15) for patrol vehicles; and, $3,480 to purchase ballistic shields to be used in critical incidents.
Each year, the grant award was presented to City Council for acceptance and subsequently accepted by the City Council.
IMPACT ON RESOURCES
No match is required therefore, no additional funding is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Copy of the Grant Agreement