HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - J-TEAM INVESTIGATOR AGMT (2)Agenda Item: 6
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: April 13, 2021
SUBJECT: JUVENILE INTERVENTION TEAM CIVILIAN INVESTIGATOR
AGREEMENT
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Award a 14-month contract with Robinson Associates for Juvenile Intervention Team
Civilian Investigator services for an amount not to exceed $70,000.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute up to three additional one-year renewal
options with Robinson Associates, not to exceed an annual amount of $60,000.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, or
modify the award in the event issues of impossibility of performance arise, subject to City
Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
In 2010, the City of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Department introduced
the Juvenile Intervention Team (J-Team) which was designed to address drug -related crime and
its impact on youth. Since the launch of the Juvenile Intervention Team, the Santa Clarita Valley
has experienced a significant reduction in drug -related crimes among youth, including a 49
percent decrease from 2016 through 2020.
The J-Team is a different approach to traditional law enforcement and focuses on prevention of
juvenile drug offenses. The J-Team is comprised of one sergeant, two deputy team members, a
lead investigator, a data analyst investigator, and six school resource deputies. The goal of the
program is to reduce the availability and use of drugs in the community by proactively
identifying at -risk youth who may become a crime statistic without intervention. The J-Team
accomplishes its goal with an innovative three-part approach, which includes enforcement,
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diversion, and education. Youth with minor drug offenses are referred to the program for
additional resources, including life skills classes.
The diversion segment of the J-Team was most recently managed by Travis Sabadin of Sabadin
Intervention Service. The J-Team Civilian Investigator Agreement between the City of Santa
Clarita and Sabadin Intervention Service was approved by the City Council on June 26, 2018.
However, Mr. Sabadin recently retired, creating a vacancy in the J-Team Civilian Investigator
position. The recommended action is to approve a contract with Robby Robinson of Robinson
Associates to fill the J-Team vacancy.
Mr. Robinson has over 35 years of youth engagement and drug prevention experience, including
serving on the Los Angeles County Probation Department for over 30 years. During his service
as a Deputy Probation Officer, Mr. Robinson worked collaboratively with various community
and law enforcement agencies on drug and gang intervention of minors. Since his retirement in
June 2015, Mr. Robinson has continued youth outreach and juvenile intervention through local
and regional drug prevention programs with Robinson Associates.
The proposed J-Team Civilian Investigator Agreement includes $70,000 in total funds from the
Public Safety budget for the initial 14-month contract.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action, as directed by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
All required funding for the above recommended actions are contingent upon the appropriation
of funds by the City Council for that particular fiscal year.
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