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APPROVE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDING FOR THE BYRNE DISCRETIONARY COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000 FOR THE SAFER STREETS AND SAFER COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept a Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding Grant award allocation from the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, and Bureau of Justice Assistance in the amount of $1,000,000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all grant award documents as required by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and accept applicable terms and conditions; and
3. Amend the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Annual Budget to increase the Police Grants & Special Programs revenue and expenditure appropriation by $1,000,000; 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 Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) released a solicitation on April 11, 2022, for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 for the Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding Grant (BDC) grant. The award provides funding to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds awarded under the BDC project will be utilized by continuing to invest in strategies used to reduce gun violence and firearms reduction programs, as well as improve police-community partnerships.
DISCUSSION
Background
In January 2021, the Stockton Police Department (SPD) began working with the City Manager’s Office to identify project funding needs to present to the federal lobbyists. The “Safer Streets-Safer Communities” program was the priority area identified. The focus is group gun violence reduction and expansion of the Operation Ceasefire and firearms reduction program. In May 2021, Congressman McNerney submitted the funding request to the House Appropriations Committee on behalf of the City of Stockton.
On April 11, 2022, the SPD was notified that the funding request of $1,000,000 was approved. The SPD was required to submit a non-competitive grant application in May 2022. Program funding will fund long-term undercover missions, purchase vehicles and equipment for the Ceasefire Special Investigations section, support and facilitate community engagement outreach, as well as provide client support through SPD’s partnership with the City’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP).
Operation Ceasefire is a promising evidence-based and partnership-based violence prevention strategy. In partnership with the OVP and community leaders, Operation Ceasefire reaches out to groups and individuals identified as being most at risk for involvement in firearm-related violence, to provide education on the impact of violence to those involved, their families and the community. Resources are offered to assist individuals in making positive life changes that lower their risk of gang/group violence. The SPD and OVP have a long-standing partnership and will continue to follow the Operation Ceasefire model while making progress in sustaining violence reductions, providing early intervention efforts, and strengthening community relationships.
Present Situation
The SPD proposes to use the BDC project funds to reduce gun violence and strengthen firearms reduction programs. SPD will also utilize funds to build upon established projects such as Operation Ceasefire implemented in partnership with the OVP, which uses data-driven, partnership-based violence prevention strategies, including best practices. There were 32 non-fatal shootings through the second quarter of 2022, and the average age of high-risk clients in Operation Ceasefire program has dropped from 30 to 22 years old. With additional resources, SPD and OVP can make greater progress in sustaining violent reductions while strengthening community relationships. SPD intends to fund long-term undercover OT missions, purchase vehicles for the Ceasefire Special Investigations Section, helicopter fuel to aid in pursuits, and specialized investigative equipment. Funding will also support community engagement outreach with clients through Operation Ceasefire call-ins, meeting supplies, relationship-building events, as well as fund client services, such as work readiness resources, or other essential supplies.
On April 11, 2022, the SPD received notification from BJA, awarding funds designated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, in the amount of $1,000,000.
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 2022-23 Police Special Grants fund.
• Revenue appropriation of $1,000,000 to the FY 2022-23 BJA BDC grant in the Police’s Special Grants Fund - Reimbursements, Special Investigations Program, Investigations Division.
• Expenditure appropriation of $1,000,000 to the FY 2022-23 BJA BDC grant in the Police’s Special Grants fund - Reimbursements, Special Investigations Program, Investigations Division.