City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: NOVEMBER 22, 2022 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARD: ALL SUBJECT: RESOLUTION ACCEPTING STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL ABC-OTS LOCAL ENFORCEMENT GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 TO INCREASE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY AND COMBAT ALCOHOL-RELATED CRIMES - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Adopt a resolution to accept the State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Grant award in the amount of $40,000 to increase enforcement activity and combat alcohol-related crimes in relation to alcoholic beverage control violations and authorize a supplemental appropriation in the grant amount.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution to accept the State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Grant award in the amount of $40,000 to increase enforcement activity and combat alcohol-related crimes in relation to alcoholic beverage control violations for the period of October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023; With five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, authorize an increase in revenues and the appropriation of expenditures in an amount up to $40,000, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police Department ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Program; and Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all necessary grant documents for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Grant, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
In September of 2022, the Riverside Police Department (RPD) applied for and was awarded funding from the State of California, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The purpose of the funding is for a comprehensive alcohol enforcement program that combats alcohol-related crimes such as purchases and sales to underage persons and nuisance/problematic establishments. The grant will also help incorporate the ABC-related issues into community policing by educating and involving the community in resolving alcohol-related crimes and issues through education and information.
DISCUSSION:
ABC-OTS funds will support the City’s efforts to reduce occurrences of public drunkenness, drunk driving, underage drinking, assaults, and other concerns associated with alcohol-related crimes.
The ABC-OTS grant will be implemented by the Riverside Police Department’s Special Investigations Bureau, Vice Unit. The funding will allow staff to continue to work closely with ABC investigators to proactively address and expand their enforcement efforts in the area of use and sales of illegal activity in and around on-sale licensed establishments. The focus will be on problematic establishments that may be suspected of allowing illegal transactions. In conjunction with the Downtown Entertainment District (DED) task force, the Vice Unit will continue to conduct surveillance, initiate special projects, and develop productive relationships with business owners and other stakeholders to address operating conditions through programs such as IMPACT inspections, Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap.
The IMPACT inspections assess the businesses’ compliance with ABC laws and educate them regarding any non-compliance issues.
The Minor Decoy program allows law enforcement agencies to use persons under 20 years of age as decoys for the purpose of purchasing alcoholic beverages from licensed premises.
The Shoulder Tap program is an enforcement program used by ABC and local law enforcement agencies wherein a minor decoy, under the supervision of law enforcement officers, solicits adults outside licensed stores to buy alcohol for the minor.
The grant term runs from October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal number No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with EACH of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to improving quality of life by creating a safe environment in partnership with the people it serves. RPD’s ability to enforce alcohol related regulations, serves the public interest, benefits the City’s diverse populations, and results in the greater public good.
Equity – RPD provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. The addition of alcohol policing funds assists in the achievement of this goal and ensures that only those that should be buying and selling alcohol are able.
Fiscal Responsibility – This grant will provide partial funding for alcohol related operations, lessening the financial burden on the City’s General Fund.
Innovation – RPD must constantly change and adapt to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The additional funding from this grant ensures the Police Department has the capacity to preserve, adapt, and grow with the needs of the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is up to $40,000. No City matching funds are required.
Upon Council approval and receipt of the grant award, an increase in revenue will be recorded and an appropriation in an amount up to $40,000, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police-Special Operations, ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Program, revenue account number 9346900-334100 and expenditure account number 9346900-440210.
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution
Award Letter
ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Grant - Page 3