Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to accept and appropriate $72,710 for the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through the Bureau Justice Assistance (BAJ) and approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tulare County for the Visalia Police Department 2023 JAG Joint Purchase Program.
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Deadline for Action: 11/6/2023
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 $72,710 for the 2023 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 2023 JAG Joint Purchase Program. There is no requirement for matching funds. The Grant is effective from 10/1/2022 to 9/3/2026, however the Department does not budget for the retroactive year.
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
In addition to an effective response for auto-theft related crimes, fixed mount ALPR cameras can also provide significant benefits through its community care taking functions and as an investigatory tool. Fixed mount ALPR cameras allow staff to enter license plates for missing persons that are considered at-risk. This allows staff to proactively enter license plate information quickly which is pushed out to all fixed mount ALPR cameras. This same feature can assist staff in criminal investigations by allowing staff to enter plates for vehicles that are associated with wanted offenders. Investigators can also use previously scanned license plates to identify if subjects were observed traveling to or from a crime scene. Finally, fixed mount ALPR cameras can identify license plates associated with law enforcement-based alerts that are generated and shared nationwide, such as known retail theft offender groups.
This year, a nearby law enforcement agency’s fixed mount ALPR camera captured a vehicle that was involved in a homicide in the City of Visalia. The information obtained from the fixed mount ALPR camera was instrumental in identifying the suspects involved in that murder. Fixed mount ALPR cameras are currently being used by law enforcement agencies throughout the Nation. Locally, the College of the Sequoias and the Cities of Fresno, Farmersville, Hanford, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, and Woodlake have fixed mount ALPR cameras installed in their jurisdictions.
One fixed mount ALPR camera has the ability to capture a minimum of two lanes of traffic simultaneously. With the deployment of five fixed mount ALPR cameras, five intersections can be outfitted. A future goal of the Visalia Police Department is to acquire additional fixed mount ALPR cameras to be installed throughout the City of Visalia. Doing so would ensure adequate coverage to help address the ever-changing needs of the community.
The total allocated amount of $72,710 for the disparate jurisdictions of the City of Visalia Police Department and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office would be used to purchase five fixed mount ALPR cameras. The total allocated amount will provide funding to purchase five (5) fixed mount ALPR cameras and the included data services which will be budgeted over three (3) years. The cameras would be placed in strategic areas that would benefit the Visalia Police Department and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
Background Discussion:
On June 30,2023 the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) - Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) announced the 2023 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 $43,802 and Tulare County was directly allocated $28,908 for a total joint allocation of $72,710. 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 August 29, 2023, and the award announcement was received on October 1, 2023.
Fiscal Impact:
Appropriate $72,710 in the General Fund and set up a CIP account for the purchase of the Automated License Plate Reader equipment and included data services. The Grant will reimburse the General Fund. A request for Bid will be announced soon after this report is approved. The Grant will fund the equipment purchase as well as the data for the program for 3 years with an estimated annually cost for the data of $24,200. After the grant ends in Fiscal Year 26/27, the program will be evaluated and determined at that time if the City of Visalia will continue the use of the cameras. The 2023 JAG Grant requires the City of Visalia to comply with the 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 $72,710 for the 2023 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 2023 JAG Joint Purchase Program.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Award Package, Cert & Assurances, and MOU.