Report Prepared by: Jeremy Salyers, Lieutenant, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of a Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $8,731 From the Unreserved, Unencumbered Balance of Fund 8503-Asset Forfeiture, Transferring to the General Fund and Appropriating the Same to the Police Department for the Purchase of an Indoor Bullet Trap From Savage Range Systems Inc.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a supplemental appropriation of funds from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance in Fund 8503-Asset Forfeiture in the amount of $8,731, transferring to the General Fund and appropriating the same to the Merced Police Department to purchase an indoor bullet trap from Savage Range Systems Inc.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving a supplemental appropriation from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance in Fund 8503-Asset Forfeiture in the amount of $8,731, transferring to the General Fund and appropriating the same to the Police Department for the purchase of an indoor ballistic shoot trap; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or
2. Refer back to staff with direction; or
3. Continue to a subsequent meeting; or
4. Take no action
AUTHORITY
Article II and III of Title 3, Chapter 3.04, of the Merced Municipal Code relating to purchases of equipment and services (Section 3.04.080 and 3.04.120).
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The Merced Police Department intends to proceed with the purchase of an indoor bullet trap from Savage Range Systems Inc. Two quotes attached were obtained for indoor bullet trap systems and the company with the lowest quote was determined to be Savage Range Systems Inc. This equipment will allow officers to conduct test-firing of handguns that are seized as evidence or recovered as found property. Spent casings from these test fires will then be submitted to the department’s recently acquired National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) system for forensic analysis.
Currently, all firearms are stored in the department’s evidence facility and must be checked out and transported to the Merced Police Department’s off-site range for test-firing. This process is typically conducted monthly, during which approximately 20 to 30 firearms are tested. The procedure-which includes checking out the weapons, transporting them, test-firing, repackaging, and logging them back into evidence-is time-consuming and labor-intensive. On average, it requires three officers working approximately four to six hours of overtime to complete. The overtime cost would be approximately $900-$1350 a month.
The installation of the indoor bullet trap will significantly streamline this process. Officers will be able to test-fire firearms immediately upon seizure in a secure, cinder block-reinforced room within department facilities. This reduces the need for multiple handling and transportation steps and allows the firearm to be packaged and logged into evidence just once. In turn, this will reduce overtime costs and increase operational efficiency.
Most importantly, the ability to test-fire weapons promptly allow’ s for faster entry of ballistic evidence into the NIBIN system. The primary purpose of the NIBIN machine is to identify links between firearms and criminal activity-locally, within Merced County, and across the Western States NIBIN District. Timely input of ballistic data enhances the department’s ability to investigate and solve firearm-related crimes more effectively.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding is available in Fund 8503-Asset Forfeiture to fund the purchase but appropriating, transferring to the General Fund Police Department is necessary.
This appropriation will require an affirmative vote of 5 Council Members to pass.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Savage Range Systems Inc. Quote
2. 2nd Bullet Trap Quote