A er1 a p
November 21, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Public Safety Committee (November 16, 2022)
FROM: Police Department
SUBJECT: RECOGNIZE REVENUE AND APPROPRIATE $40,233 IN GRANT
FUNDS FROM THE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE
ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S
FISCAL YEAR 2023 OPERATING BUDGET
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. The proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the General Rule that CEQA only applies to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all grant-related documents pertaining to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award in the amount of $40,233; and
3. Amend the Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budget by recognizing revenue and appropriations of $40,233 in the Police Department's General Fund (101) as detailed in the Fiscal Impact Section of this report.
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), for the fiscal Year 2022, was accepting solicitation offers for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award for a maximum of $40,233.
MEETING OF 11/21/2022 AGENDA ITEM NO. __ J __ _
Recognition and Appropriation of Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Funds November 21, 2022
Named after Edward "Eddie" R. Byrne, an officer in the New York City Police Department who was murdered while protecting a witness in a drug case, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the JAG Program provides states, territories, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement; prosecution and court; prevention and education; drug treatment and enforcement; planning, evaluation, technology improvement; and crime victim and witness initiatives. It also provides funding support for mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs such as behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.
On August 9, 2021, The Pasadena Police Department submitted an application requesting grant funding for $40,233 to purchase equipment for the Criminal Investigations Division and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT). The intent is to use the funding to purchase audio recording equipment and to replace the current communication system crisis negotiators utilize in the field. The grant will allow the police department to further our mission of protecting the public by providing personnel with upgraded technologies that increase our efficiency and success.
The mission of the Crisis Negotiation Team is to preserve life for both hostages and suspects. For the past seven years, CNT has responded to five separate incidents that have involved barricaded suspects. In addition to sending specially trained negotiators to these incidents, CNT also deployed their unique equipment; including a "throw" phone and monitoring consoles stationed at the command post. These consoles provided direct and uninterrupted contact with the subjects, eventually leading to rescues with no fatalities reported. The equipment used by CNT is a vital component that allows the team to remain safe during crisis negotiations. The current equipment is no longer suitable, and it is crucial that we replace it to ensure the safety of the team and the public.
The Robbery/Homicide Unit investigates some of the most serious crimes, including homicide, attempted homicide, mayhem, kidnapping, and assaults with deadly weapons. Technology has played a pivotal role in criminal investigations. It has helped Robbery/Homicide detectives develop investigative leads, identify offenders, and produce critical courtroom evidence; evidence that society now expects to see with every investigation. This concealable, audio-recording device will provide detectives with a necessary high-tech tool to obtain statements of evidentiary value during critical interviews of suspected offenders.
On September 22, 2022, the Police Department received notification that the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) approved the application submitted for an award under the Recognition and Appropriation of Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Funds November 21, 2022
funding opportunity entitled 2022 BJA FY 22 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program - Local Solicitation in the amount of $40,233.
The grant period runs from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2025. Matching funds are required of $6,267.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The proposed action is consistent with the City Council's Strategic Plan Goals to ensure public safety. The Bureau of Justice Assistance ("BJA") recognizes that many state and local criminal justice systems currently face challenging fiscal environments and that an important, cost-effective way to relieve those pressures is to share or leverage resources through cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed purchase order contract has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section15061 (b)(3), the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which 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 question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Such is the case with the proposed grant from the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant.
Recognition and Appropriation of Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Funds November 21, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action will amend the Police Department's FY 2023 General Fund Operating Budget by recognizing revenue and appropriations of $40,233. Funding from the Department of Justice will be used for the purchase of a Crisis Response System with Throw Phone as well as digital audio recorders as detailed in the chart below. There are no anticipated indirect or support costs such as maintenance and IT support. There is a match of $6,267 which will be funded from existing budgeted appropriations in the Police Department's General Fund.
Budget Item
Equipment (Communication
System)
Equipment (audio recorders)
Total
Prepared by:
Keith Gomez, Lieutenant
Violent Crimes Unit
Approved by:
~J~
MIGUEL MARQUEZ
City Manager
Account String
10133024-850400-91157
10133020-810900-91157
Respectfully submitted,
In erim Chief of Police
P lice Department
Amount
$23,733
$16,500
$40,233