Public Safety Committee
March 28, 2023
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Steven Falk FROM: Darren Allison
Interim City Administrator Acting Chief of Police
SUBJECT: FY 2019-2021 Justice Assistance
Grant
DATE: February 23, 2023
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator, Or Designee, To Accept And Appropriate The Fiscal Years 2019, 2020 And 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds In The Amounts Of Three Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred Eighty-Six Dollars And Fifty-One Cents ($359,286.51) For October 1, 2018 Through September 30, 2023, Three Hundred Twenty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred Twenty-Two Dollars And Forty Cents ($329,522.40) For October 1, 2019 Through September 30, 2023, And Four Hundred Thirteen Thousand, Eight Hundred Twenty-Six Dollars ($413,826) For October 1, 2020 Through September 30, 2024 To Upgrade Equipment And Technology And Fund Department-Wide Training.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) will use funding from the 2019 JAG local allocation to fund new communications technology systems (purchase a public safety mobile radio, 9-1-1 and Public Safety Access Point emergency communications system). OPD will use funding from the 2020 JAG local allocation to fund helicopter maintenance and a new Internal Affairs Division and Use of Force Case Management System. OPD will also use funding from the 2021 JAG local allocation to fund training supplies (personal bleeding kits), helicopter maintenance, technology, and equipment upgrades (purchase innovative hardware and equipment for Violent Crimes Operation Center (VCOC), smart boxes, laptops for Communications) and Department- wide training.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The federal JAG program is divided into two allocations, a state allocation and a local allocation.
The state may distribute its allocation as it sees fit but must distribute the local allocation to eligible units of local government in predetermined amounts. Each county is required to apply as a consortium. Alameda County qualifies for a local allocation of $654,114 in local funds for the 2019 JAG grant, $589,316 in local funds for the 2020 JAG grant and $685,351 in local funds for the 2021 JAG grant. These funds may only be used by agencies for the following areas: local Mar 16, 2023
Steven Falk, Interim City Administrator
Subject: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds Date: February 23, 2023 Page 2
Public Safety Committee
March 28, 2023
initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice. Funds may also be used for research and evaluation activities that will improve or enhance law enforcement programs related to criminal justice. The local awards provide funding over a four-year span. The local awards include an initial lump sum distribution which may be deposited into an interest-bearing account. There is no matching fund requirement.
As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005, the 108th Congress merged the discretionary Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program with the formula-based Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) program to establish the JAG program. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers the JAG program, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) calculates the JAG formula-based award amounts using specifications outlined in the legislation.
To determine local awards, BJS determines which jurisdictions should be included in the calculation of the three-year violent crime averages on which local awards are based. These crime averages are computed using data published by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. To be eligible to receive JAG funds, a jurisdiction must have provided to the UCR the number of violent crimes known to law enforcement each year for a minimum of three years in the last 10.
BJA has developed joint application groups, consolidating certain cities and counties for the JAG program. Alameda County is part of a joint application group with the cities of Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, San Leandro and Union City. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) is the designated lead for the Alameda County JAG consortium.
The City Council previously authorized acceptance of similar grant funds by Resolution No.
87664 C.M.S. dated May 7, 2019, Resolution No. 86466 C.M.S. dated November 1, 2016, Resolution No. 85870 C.M.S. dated November 3, 2015, Resolution No. 85530 C.M.S. dated April 21, 2015, Resolution No. 84641 C.M.S. dated October 1, 2013, 84338 C.M.S. dated May 7, 2013, Resolution No. 83625 C.M.S. dated November 11, 2011, Resolution No.82934 C.M.S. dated July 20, 2010, Resolution No. 81975 C.M.S. dated May 5, 2009, Resolution No. 81581 C.M.S. dated October 7, 2008, Resolution No. 80873 C.M.S. dated October 2, 2007, Resolution No. 80128 C.M.S. dated September 19, 2006, Resolution No. 79764 C.M.S. dated September 19, 2006, and Resolution No. 79378 C.M.S. dated July 19, 2005.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) formed the Alameda County JAG consortium in 2005 and updates the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with related amendments annually upon submission of the annual JAG grant application. As the lead agency, ACSO is entitled to ten percent of the award money for administering the JAG funds. Each member of the consortium may draw down its allocated funds less the ten percent administrative fee. OPD relies on JAG grant funding for equipment and training to utilize best practices, ensure transparency, and build public trust.
Steven Falk, Interim City Administrator
Subject: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds Date: February 23, 2023 Page 3
Public Safety Committee
March 28, 2023
OPD needs state-of-the-art equipment and modern technological innovations to utilize best practices, ensure transparency and build public trust. For the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 JAG funds, OPD will invest funds in new communications technology systems. A portion of the grant funds will be used to purchase a customized license and software to analyze a range of data specific to internet, email, and social media, purchase a public safety mobile radio, 9-1-1 ($130,000) and Public Safety Access Point emergency communications system ($241,675.70). This equipment will position OPD to be more responsive, strategic, and effective in its law enforcement work.
For the FY2020 Byrne JAG Local grant, OPD plans to invest funds in a new secure, reliable, and accessible Internal Affairs Department (IAD) and Use of Force (UOF) Case Management System ($235,000). This equipment will position OPD to be more responsive, strategic, and effective in its law enforcement work by helping us manage a large amount of data that is collected about the highest-risk Department activities, including managing the status and deadlines for all IAD and UOF cases. OPD also has an ongoing need for helicopter maintenance ($83,568.32), and the grant funds will cover a portion of those costs to ensure the city can use the helicopter as needed in law enforcement operations.
For the FY2021 Byrne JAG Local grant, OPD plans to invest in Stop the Bleed training supplies and personal bleeding kits ($24,000) to allow OPD to train community members living in Oakland to stop or stem gunshot wound bleeding before the ambulance arrives. The system will eliminate communication silos, improve collaboration and cooperation amongst varying public safety entities for increased productivity; and equipment upgrades, specifically new laptops for communications dispatchers ($16,028.62), smart boxes that can be wired into police Also, grant funds will be used to purchase innovative hardware and equipment, including the purchase of a Video wall which includes, a CPU, a tablet controller, 8 monitors, and other ancillary equipment ($90,000) for OPD’s Violent Crime Operation Center, that will be used to stream open source information from the web and other preauthorized computer applications, vehicles to activate body worn cameras ($70,000), and ongoing helicopter maintenance/repairs ($100,000). Finally, OPD will utilize the remaining portion of the grant ($60,000) to provide additional training to law enforcement personnel. Collectively, these purchases will make OPD better positioned to deliver high-quality policing services, improve police-community relationships, and help keep Oakland safe.
These grants advance the Citywide priorities of holistic community safety and responsive, trustworthy government. This funding helps OPD have up-to-date training and equipment to enable the agency to be responsive to community safety needs. The funds also help OPD collect information that is needed regarding IAD and UOF; thereby, allowing OPD to be transparent and in compliance for its highest-risk activities.
Steven Falk, Interim City Administrator
Subject: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds Date: February 23, 2023 Page 4
Public Safety Committee
March 28, 2023
FISCAL IMPACT
The spending plan for the Fiscal Year 2019 JAG Local allocation is as follows:
Description of Funds Amount
Technology Innovations and equipment (Asset
Management System and Communication
Dispatching Equipment)
$130,000.00
Emergency Communications System $241,675.70
Oakland Spending Plan Total $412,973.00
Alameda County 10% Administrative Cost $41,297.30
NIBRS Set Aside 3% $12,389.19
Oakland Allocation Grand Total $359,286.51
The spending plan for the Fiscal Year 2020 JAG Local allocation is as follows:
Description of Funds Amount
Use of Force Case Management System $235,000.00
Helicopter Maintenance $83,568.32
NIBRS Set Aside 3% $10,984.08
Oakland Spending Plan Total $366,136.00
Alameda County 10% Administrative Cost $36,613.60
Oakland Allocation Grand Total $329,522.40
The spending plan for the Fiscal Year 2021 JAG Local allocation is as follows:
Description of Funds Amount
10 Stop the Bleed Training Kits and 212 Personal
Bleeding Control Kits $24,000.00
Other department-wide trainings $60,000.00
Violent Crime Operations Center hardware
including a Video wall which includes a CPU, a
tablet controller, 8 monitors, and other ancillary
equipment
$90,000.00
Body-worn camera accessories (vehicle smart
boxes) $70,000.00
Helicopter Maintenance $100,000.00
Laptops for communications/Dispatchers $16,028.62
Oakland Spending Plan Total $360,028.62
Alameda County 10% Administrative Cost $41,382.60
NIBRS set-aside 3% $12,414.78
Oakland Allocation Grand Total $413,826.00
Steven Falk, Interim City Administrator
Subject: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds Date: February 23, 2023 Page 5
Public Safety Committee
March 28, 2023
Funding will be appropriated in the Federal Grant Fund (2112), Fiscal Services Division Org (106510), Agency-wide Administration Program (PS01) and in Projects and Accounts to be determined.
Fiscal Year Fund Source Organization Account Project Program Amount 2019 2112 106510 TBD TBD PS01 $359,286.51
2020 2112 106510 TBD TBD PS01 $329,522.40
2021 2112 106510 TBD TBD PS01 $413,826.00
Total: $1,102,634.91
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
There was no public outreach for the preparation of this report beyond the standard City Council noticing procedures.
COORDINATION
This report was reviewed by the Office of the City Attorney and the Budget Bureau.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: When possible, supplies and equipment for this grant will be purchased locally.
Environmental: There are no environmental issues associated with this report.
Race and Equity: Grant funds and other resources contributed by partnering agencies are directed toward achieving increased service levels and long-term benefits for challenged areas.
Decreasing calls for service response time benefits the most vulnerable populations who are most impacted by violent crimes. New equipment for dispatch and communication, maintenance for the helicopter, trainings, and other updated equipment help OPD be more responsive to community needs.
Steven Falk, Interim City Administrator
Subject: OPD Justice Local Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds Date: February 23, 2023 Page 6
Public Safety Committee
March 28, 2023
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator, Or Designee, To Accept And Appropriate The Fiscal Years 2019, 2020 And 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds In The Amounts Of Three Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred Eighty-Six Dollars And Fifty-One Cents ($359,286.51) For October 1, 2018 Through September 30, 2023, Three Hundred Twenty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred Twenty-Two Dollars And Forty Cents ($329,522.40) For October 1, 2019 Through September 30, 2023, And Four Hundred Thirteen Thousand, Eight Hundred Twenty-Six Dollars ($413,826) For October 1, 2020 Through September 30, 2024 To Upgrade Equipment And Technology And Fund Department-Wide Training.
For questions regarding this report, please contact LaRaija Marshall, Fiscal Manager, at (510) 238-4767.
Reviewed by:
Kiona Suttle, Deputy Director
OPD, Bureau of Services
Tracey Jones, Police Services Manager
OPD, Research and Planning Unit
LaRajia Marshall, Fiscal Manager
OPD, Fiscal Services Division
Prepared by:
Amber Fuller, Grants Coordinator
OPD, Fiscal Services Division