1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 1, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Michael Albanese, Chief of Police
BY: Courtney Padgett, Police Administrator
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Funds from the State Citizen’s Option f or Public Safety (COPS) Program in the Amount of $259,828.37 and A mending the Fiscal Year 202 1-22 Budget by Appropriating Funds
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ACCEPT FUNDS FROM THE STATE CITIZEN’S OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) PROGRAM, ACCEPTING $259,828.37 IN FUNDS, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 20 21-22 BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
BACKGROUND
In 1996, the California State Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 3229 as part of the State budget package. This bill established the State Citizen’s Option for Public Safety (COPS) Program that provides funding to local law enforcement agencies, with alloc ation based on population, for the purpose of ensuring public safety. For Fiscal Year 20 21-22, the City of Burbank received $259,828.37 in funds to be used for this purpose. State COPS funds support the provision of frontline police services such as personnel, equipment, and crime prevention/anti-gang programs, and cannot be used to supplant the City’s current law enforcement funding. Currently, this funding continues to help finance two Community Resource Officer Positions in the Department’s Community Outreach and Personnel Services Bureau.
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2 DISCUSSION
Community Resource Officers are an integral part of the Police Department’s community outreach efforts. They work closely with volunteers and are responsible for facilitating various community events such as the Community Academy , designed to provide opportunity for community members to learn about the criminal justice system, as well as gain a better understanding of the Department’s divisions and operations. Over a nine- week period, this course familiarizes participants with the Department’s community policing philosophy, internal policies, and the guiding principles of law and ethical conduct governing the delivery of police services within our community. Community Resource Officers also serve as mentors and instructors for the Youth Academy, an 8 -session course designed to educate young members of our community on how to prepare for a challenging career in law enforcement or another area of public service. Community Resource Officers participate in various speaking engagements at public and private community-based organizations, assist with public service announcements in conjunction with the City Public Information Officer or via the Department website, support the Department’s presence and reach using social media platforms, and facilitate a variety of community events, including National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop, and the Shop with a Cop holiday event.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the proposed resolution will allow the City to appropriate revenues already received. These revenues cover approximately 58% of the costs for the Community Resource Officer positions. Fiscal Year 2021-22 funds are being appropriated at this time due to the State issuing funds after the end of the City’s fiscal year. Staff recommends that Council approve an amendment to the Fiscal Year 20 21-22 Budget to accept funds from the COPS program and appropriate $2 59,828.37 from revenue account 121.PD000.48010.1039 (General City Grants, PD General, Other Intergovernmental Revenues, State AB3229 COPS) to expenditure account
121.PD91A.60004.0000.000000 (General City Grants, Grants - COPS, State Grant - Salaries).
CONCLUSION
These funds have been awarded to the Burbank Police Department to support community outreach programs.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Resolution