Report Prepared by: Lance Eber, Crime Analyst, Police
Title
SUBJECT: Authorization to Accept $45,406 in Grant Funds from the 2018 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for the Police Department to Purchase Additional Conducted Energy Weapons (aka Tasers), Consulting Costs for the Transition from the Uniform Crime Reporting Process to the National Incident Based Reporting System, and Licensing Costs for Connecting the Department Body Worn Cameras to the Computer Aided Dispatch System
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting grant funding from the US Department of Justice offered to the Merced Police Department in the amount of $45,406 from the 2018 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program for the purchase of additional conducted energy weapons (aka tasers), consulting costs for the transition from the Uniform Crime Reporting process to the National Incident Based Reporting System, and licensing costs for connecting the department body worn cameras to the computer aided dispatch system.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting the grant and increasing the revenue budget in account 050-1025-321.17-00 by $45,406, 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 2018-19 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, form 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 2018 JAG grant program, however, due to circumstances out of the City and the Department’s control, the grant funding was only recently awarded and able to be accepted by the City. Due to these circumstances, the US DOJ has made the grant award retroactively, effective October 1, 2017, and will allow the funding to be used through September 30, 2021. The City of Merced was eligible to request funding up to the amount of $45,406. This amount is established by the DOJ. There is no match requirement on this grant award.
The MPD applied to spend $13,000 on additional conducted energy weapons (aka tasers) for the increase in newly hired officers.
In addition, JAG funds were requested to spend $1,626 (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.
The last item requested in the amount of $30,780 was licensing costs to get our department’s body worn cameras integrated with our computer aided dispatch system and records management system.
The grant requires that the application and subsequent award be made 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.
History and Past Actions
In 2005, MPD set aside $10,000 for graffiti abatement; $10,000 for neighborhood watch; $13,859 for additional hand held radios; and, $14,000 for additional tasers.
In 2006, MPD set aside $10,000 for graffiti abatement; $10,000 for neighborhood watch; and $13,354 for additional hand held radios.
In 2007, MPD set aside $10,000 for graffiti abatement; $10,000 for neighborhood watch; and, $44,207 for equipment such as tasers, cameras, and SWAT equipment).
In 2008, MPD set aside $10,000 for graffiti abatement; $10,000 for neighborhood watch; and, $876 for tasers.
In 2009, MPD set aside $48,860 for part time employees; $10,000 for neighborhood watch; and, $10,000 for graffiti abatement.
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.
Each year, the grant award was presented to City Council for acceptance and subsequently accepted by the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Copy of the Grant Agreement