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APPROVE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDING FROM THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT GRANT FOR THE STRENGTHENING STOCKTON’S PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $963,000
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept an Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant award allocation from the United States Department of Justice in the amount of $963,000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all grant award documents as required by the United States Department of Justice and accept applicable terms and conditions; and
3. Amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Budget to increase the Police Grants & Special Programs revenue and expenditure appropriation by $963,000; and
4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The United States Department of Justice released a solicitation on April 30, 2024, for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 for the COPS Technology and Equipment (TEP) Grant. The award provides funding to expand the implementation of community policing and crime prevention through the development and procurement of equipment, technologies and interoperable communications. Funds awarded under the TEP project will be utilized to develop and acquire effective law enforcement equipment, technologies, and interoperable communications that assist in responding to and preventing crime. The grant performance period is from March 9, 2024, to March 31, 2026.
DISCUSSION
Background
In March 2023, the Stockton Police Department (SPD) began working with Congressman Josh Harder to identify project funding needs. The “Strengthening Stockton’s Public Safety Program” was the priority area. The focus of the program is to provide a more effective and efficient law enforcement response and crime-solving strategies, while keeping the community safe. In July 2023, Congressman Harder submitted the funding request to the House Appropriations Committee on behalf of the City of Stockton.
On March 11, 2024, the SPD was notified that the funding request of $963,000 was approved. The SPD was required to submit a non-competitive grant application in July 2024 through COPS TEP.
Present Situation
SPD proposes to use the COPS TEP funds for implementing a more robust License Plate Reader (LPR) program to aid in identifying leads, solving criminal cases, and reducing crime. SPD is committed to working with the community toward keeping the city safe through the use of technology. The strategic placement of additional LPR cameras will be placed at all main entry/exit points of the city, major commercial areas, and “hot” intersections with high traffic volume to assist with crime reduction and expedite the apprehension of criminals. Flock Safety provides 1000+ Law Enforcement Agencies in over 2,000 cities with a scalable solution for public safety that reduces crime by up to 60%. SPD would also gain access to a network of over 500,000,000 license plate reads per month through the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center.
Additionally, the SPD proposes using COPS TEP funds for Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for the SWAT team. With the NVG purchase, SWAT operators would be able to identify and engage a suspect at a distance without showing awareness of presence. Currently, the white light situation could quickly identify that an operator was present, giving the suspect an advantage into position to block engagement. High-quality NVG allow SWAT operators to quickly identify threats/non-threats in low-light situations without compromising the operator's position, providing safety to operators and victims.
On September 30, 2024, the SPD received notification from the COPS Office, awarding funds designated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, in the amount of $963,000.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The SPD’s Investigations Division will coordinate operations of the grant program. The grant program does not require matching funds. Revenue and expenditures will require an increase in appropriation to the FY 2024-25 Police Special Grants fund.
• Revenue appropriation of $963,000 to the FY 2024-25 BJA COPS TEP grant in the Police’s Special Grants Fund - Reimbursements, Investigations Division.
• Expenditure appropriation of $963,000 to the FY 2024-25 BJA COPS TEP grant in the Police’s Special Grants fund - Reimbursements, Investigations Division.