Agenda Item Wording:
title
Authorization to accept and appropriate $64,311 for the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program through the Bureau Justice Assistance and approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Tulare County for the Visalia Police Department 2024 JAG Joint Purchase Program.
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Deadline for Action: 1/21/2025
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city>
Captain Andrew Swarthout, ext. 4035, andrew.swarthout@visalia.city <mailto:andrew.swarthout@visalia.city>
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext. 4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Authorization to accept and appropriate $64,311 for the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through the Bureau Justice Assistance (BJA) and approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tulare County for the Visalia Police Department 2024 JAG Joint Purchase Program. There is no requirement for matching funds. The Grant is effective from 10/1/2023 to 9/3/2027.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department has thoroughly researched various methods to prevent and respond to Part One crimes within the City of Visalia and County of Tulare. Nationwide, fixed mount Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras have had a tremendous impact on reducing these types of crimes that affect our community. Fixed mount ALPR cameras work by identifying vehicle license plates that have been entered in the Stolen Vehicle System, National Crime Information Center, or entered by officers throughout the State of California.
The Department entered into a 4-year $300,000 service agreement on December 1, 2024, with Flock Group Inc. to provide a total of 22 fixed mount ALPR cameras. The project is funded by the JAG Grant and General Fund. The 22 fixed mount ALPR cameras were installed in strategic locations that would have the most impact in addressing Part One crimes. Shortly after the first fixed mount ALPR camera was installed, the Visalia Police Department received 13 stolen vehicle alerts. The Visalia Police Department also received shared access to 554 fixed mount ALPR cameras that are installed throughout Tulare County and the State of California.
The Visalia Police Department has created a Flock Safety administrative group to manage and evaluate the project. The Flock Safety dashboard provides up to date insights on the systems analytics that will be reviewed monthly to determine the effectiveness of the fixed mount ALPR cameras. The Visalia Police Department’s Crime Analysis Unit will also ensure that Flock Safety notifications are captured and associated with the appropriate case numbers for accurate data collection. As the systems continues to prove to be instrumental in addressing Part One crimes, the Visalia Police Department will continue to look for funding opportunities to maintain the number of Flock Safety cameras within the City of Visalia.
Background Discussion:
On September 4, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) - Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) announced the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (BJA) Grant Program. The JAG Grant is a federally funded program through the Bureau of Justice Assistance and allocations are made to each state based on a formula that weighs equally its share of violent crime and population. The same formula is then used to determine the allocations awarded to the City and County jurisdictions. JAG Grant funds may be used to provide additional personnel, equipment, supplies, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice programs.
The City of Visalia was directly allocated $41,530 and Tulare County was directly allocated $22,681 for a total joint allocation of $64,311. However, because the City’s allocation is 150% of the County’s award amount, the JAG legislation requires that the County be a partner with the local jurisdiction receiving the higher amount of funds. The JAG program considers this type of allocation a Disparate Jurisdiction and requires a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Visalia and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office to agree on a mutual purchase plan that will benefit both agencies.
Visalia Police Chief, Jason Salazar, reached out to Sheriff Mike Boudreaux at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and agreed to the joint purchase program. The Visalia Police Department will be the fiscal agent and accept administrative responsibilities for the Grant. A single grant application was submitted on October 15, 2024 and the award announcement was received on December 4, 2024.
Fiscal Impact:
Appropriate $64,311 in the General Fund and add to CIP EQ0230. The CIP was set up in 2023 when the FLOCK ALPR project was approved. The Grant will reimburse the General Fund for the cost of 9 ALPR and will fund for up to 4 years under service contract C25037. JAG Grant requires the City of Visalia to comply with 66 special conditions and the City Mayor is required to execute the Certification and Assurances document prior to the release of funds. The form is attached for the City of Visalia Mayor’s signature.
Prior Council Action: None.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not to accept the Grant.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorization to accept and appropriate $64,311 for the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through the Bureau Justice Assistance (BJA); approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tulare County for the Visalia Police Department 2024 JAG Joint Purchase Program.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Award Package, Certification & Assurances, and MOU.