ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 23, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Resolutions TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Greg Terry, Chief of Police
DATE: April 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Resolution to accept BJA FY24 JAG Byrne Grant Funds.
1. Resolution to accept the terms of this grant award, and its required certifications and assurances.
2. Appropriate $134,968 in Federal BJA FY 24 JAG/Byrne Grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (JAG) to the Police Operating Budget within the General Fund for design and repairs of the Police Departments Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robot (EOD).
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and approval of the appropriation.
BACKGROUND: One December 4, 2024, the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) was awarded an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, in the amount of $134,968.
The JAG Program is the primary source of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions.
JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. Grants from the JAG Program have a term of four years and do not require any match from the City.
Annually the BPD responds to an average of 50 bomb threat calls, and several swat bomb related calls. In response to these calls the BPD utilizes its Remotec F6B robot. The machine was initially purchased in 2006, at a cost of $100,000. Due to th e age of the robot, many parts are being phased out and are no longer available for repairs, in addition the technology has advanced but the current robot is unable to upgrade as its tech is not compatible. Due to the frequency and danger involved with these calls the BPD needs to upgrade and repair the current robot to increase safety, capabilities and efficiency for its staff and residents alike.
The BPD is planning to use JAG funding to augment the city’s financial investment to update the existing robots’ capabilities, and increase overall safety.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding will be covered by the Federal BJA FY 24 grant funds.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Safety and Resilience
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Award Package