DATE: 05/07/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Police Department
2025-167
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
ACCEPTANCE OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE 2024 LOCAL EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks Council to accept and appropriate The United States Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $19,709.
The grant’s purpose is to assist state, local, and tribal efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence, and augment officer safety. Funds received are to be used for technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice that will improve or enhance law enforcement programs.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Authorize the City Manager to sign and enter into an Interlocal Agreement Concerning Distribution of the 2024 Justice Assistance Grant Award. b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute any required grant documents that are in compliance with the City Council’s actions hereunder. c. Accept the U.S. Department of Justice 2024 Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $19,709, with ten percent (10%) of the award, or $1,970, to be allocated to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department as the grant’s Fiscal Agent.
d. Appropriate $17,739 from the U.S. Department of Justice Grant Fund 411 and increase the estimated revenue by the same amount to be received from the U.S.
Department of Justice.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice notified the City of Corona of its eligibility for a $19,709 award from the 2024 Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG24) local formula grant. Local government award allocations are based on a jurisdiction’s population and proportion of the state’s 3-year violent crime average.
The United States Department of Justice merged the eligible agencies in Riverside County together for funding. This merger requires an agreement between the eligible agencies – Beaumont, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Hemet, Indio, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Palm Springs, Perris, Riverside, Temecula, and the County of Riverside –to identify the award distribution and designate one agency as the fiscal agent, which is the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
ANALYSIS:
In order to receive these grant funds, the City is required to enter into an interlocal agreement with the previously mentioned eligible agencies. Of the $19,709 allocated to the City of Corona, ten percent (10%) of the award, or $1,970, is designated to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department as the grant’s Fiscal Agent. The grant dates will be determined once all cities submit the signed interlocal agreement and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office receives the grantor’s approval. The City Attorney reviewed and approved as to form the proposed Grant Agreement and Certified Standard Assurances.
The Police Department will utilize $12,000 to pay for approximately 40 officers to attend (4) hours of Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) training. The expense for the training falls under the JAG24 program area of (A) Law Enforcement Programs and is certified by P.O.S.T – POST PLAN IV.
The PIT is a critical maneuver used by law enforcement to safely end high-speed vehicle pursuits. Developed in 1988, the PIT maneuver involves a police vehicle making contact with the rear quarter panel of a fleeing vehicle, causing it to spin out and come to a stop.
The training program will include theoretical instruction, practical exercises, and scenariobased simulations, ensuring officers are thoroughly prepared to apply PIT techniques in real-life situations. It will develop and enhance officer’s vehicle handling skills, situational awareness, decision making under pressure, and communication skills while also building upon technical proficiency, judgement and discretion, emotional control, and ethical understanding.
By enhancing officers’ skill and confidence in using PIT, the program seeks to reduce the risks associated with vehicle pursuits, thereby enhancing public safety and minimizing potential harm to both officers and civilians. The expected outcomes include a measurable decrease in pursuit-related incidents and injuries, as well as police officers effectively and safely using PIT to bring high speed pursuits to a controlled end with proficiency and confidence. This project aligns with the broader goals of the JAG24 grant to support innovative and effective law enforcement practices.
The Police Department will utilize the remaining balance of $5,739 to purchase equipment for the Firearms Training unit which includes five Glock 17s outfitted with red dot sights, weapon lights, and the appropriate holster to accommodate that firearm setup. The purchase of equipment will facilitate the most up-to-date training on firearm platforms for recruits and allow current officers to test the current industry set-up to further their adaptation to an ever-changing industry. The firearms will improve the training and readiness of our current and future Officers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation and revenue estimate increase of $17,739 in the U.S. Department of Justice Grant Fund 411. There is no local match requirement for this award. The 2024 Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant will reimburse the City for the following items:
PIT training (40 Officers) $12,000
Firearms and Accessories* $5,739
Total $17,739
*Full cost of Firearms and accessories will be a total of $5,751. The variance of $12 will be incurred to Corona Police Department operating budget.
Any unused budget will carry forward into Fiscal Year 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CQEA if the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in questions may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action of a canine purchase and Records Technician overtime is minimal, and there is no possibility this will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: AMANDA ANDRADE, MANAGEMENT ANALYST II
REVIEWED BY: ROBERT NEWMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Interlocal Agreement Concerning Distribution of the 2024 Justice Assistance Grant Award
2. Exhibit 2 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Certified Standard Assurances