CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
July 1, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Gutierrez, City Manager
Submitted By: Michael Ellis, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: AcceptANCE OF the U.S. Department of Justice Edward ByRne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Fiscal Year 2023 RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-79– A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $71,498, AND AMENDING THE FY 2024-25 OPERATING BUDGET BY INCREASING REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE SAME AMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Action on this item will accept the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) FY 2023 Local Solicitation grant in the amount of $71,498 (Attachment No.1). The grant has been awarded to focus on gang violence suppression, community policing efforts through the Police Department’s Area Commander Program and human trafficking operations. The grant period covers four (4) years, beginning October 1, 2022 and ending on September 30, 2026.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $250 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $250 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact is neutral due to an increase in grant revenues (239-2090-40875-58756) and corresponding appropriations (239-2090-5XXXX-58756) in the amount of $71,498.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On November 21, 2022, City Council accepted the U.S. DOJ Edward Byrne Memorial JAG FY 2022 Local Solicitation grant in the amount of $66,382.
DISCUSSION:
The focus of the U.S. DOJ JAG grant is threefold: (1) Gang violence suppression, (2) Community policing - through the police department’s Area Commander Program, and (3) Human trafficking operations.
Gang Violence Suppression
A primary mission of the Pomona Police Department’s efforts to address gang violence is to deploy work units and assets to reduce gang-related activities. This is accomplished by utilizing technology and information to identify crime patterns. The first element uses the police department’s crime analysis capabilities to identify locations that provide a data-driven approach to field operations. This information is then utilized to gather intelligence and proactively identify the most active areas. Special deployments, supported by JAG funding, will be planned and supervised at the direction of the Investigative Services Division.
Community Policing through the Police Department’s Area Commander Program The Pomona Police Department utilizes an Area Commander Program as part of its community-oriented policing strategy. Under this program, the City is divided into six quadrants, with a Police Lieutenant managing each quadrant. Each Police Lieutenant (Area Commander) is responsible for Community Problem Oriented Policing (CPOP) strategies within their assigned quadrant. Every month, an Area Commanders hosts community meetings where residents and business owners are invited to attend. Every Area Commander holds about two meetings throughout the calendar year. Police personnel provide updated crime information specific to the local community while soliciting input and involvement from the audience. Deployments funded by JAG to address issues within a quadrant will be planned, implemented, and supervised at the direction of each Lieutenant.
Human Trafficking Operations
In response to human trafficking activity, the Pomona Police Department developed a plan to mitigate this activity. Funding from the JAG grant supports additional efforts to conduct enhanced human trafficking enforcement.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports the 2021-22 City Council Priority 4: Safe and Clean Community- Goal N: Take actions to eliminate prostitution, human trafficking, and gang-related violence.
Prepared by:
______________________________________________
Natalie Diaz
Management Analyst
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 - Resolution No. 2024- 79
Acceptance of U.S. DOJ Edward Byrne Memorial JAG FY2023