Agenda Item #12.7
For Council Meeting of: October 10, 2023
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JOHN CREGAN, POLICE CHIEF, POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS FOR THE ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Police Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) accept a grant award from the Board of State and Community Corrections for the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program in the amount of $560,653; 2) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all related documents required for receiving such funds; and 3) appropriate $560,653 of grant funds to a project key to be established by the Chief Financial Officer.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.
The Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention Grant Program is administered and awarded by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). This grant program plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenge of organized retail theft by providing funding and resources to support initiatives aimed at preventing and combatting ORT.
The Santa Rosa Police department will use the funding on Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) which we will install at strategic locations throughout the city based on analysis of crime data and patterns related to organized retail theft. The Santa Rosa Police Department remains committed to upholding our rigorous Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) policy concerning the gathering, storage, retention, and dissemination of ALPR data. Additionally, to enhance awareness and prevention efforts, the project will deliver education and training programs for retailers and employees. These programs will focus on recognizing the signs of organized retail theft, implementing preventive measures, and promoting a collective sense of responsibility within the community.
BACKGROUND
The State Budget Act of 2022 (Senate Bill 154, Chapter 43, Statutes of 2022) established the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program. Funding is available to California city police departments, sheriff departments, and probation departments to support local law enforcement agencies in preventing and responding to organized retail theft, motor vehicle or motor vehicle accessory theft, or cargo theft.
The City of Santa Rosa applied for and was awarded this competitive funding to improve public health and safety in Santa Rosa by supporting local retail businesses and consumers through the use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, retailer education, and cooperation and collaboration with local allied agencies, and utilizing purpose built directed enforcement to catch, dissuade, and prosecute organized retail theft offenders. This program seeks to improve the quality of life of the community members of Santa Rosa by reducing crime and the fear of crime when working and shopping in Santa Rosa. It also intends to retain and attract local commercial retailers by providing them with a sense that their local government is actively taking steps to ensure their success so they can provide vital services and products today and in the future. The Santa Rosa Police Department has implemented a policy for ALPRs to provide guidance for the capture, storage, and use of digital license plate data obtained through the use of ALPR technology.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
Not applicable.
ANALYSIS
The acceptance of this funding bears significant implications for the Santa Rosa Police Department's ongoing efforts to combat Organized Retail Theft. By embracing this financial support, the department can strategically focus on high-incidence areas, employing a multifaceted approach that leverages advanced technology, enriches retailer education, and fosters robust collaboration with local agencies and business owners.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378 in that there is no possibility that the implementation of this action may have significant effects on the environment, and no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
PRESENTER
John Cregan, Police Chief
ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PAGE 3 OF 3