HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRANT (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented Adele Macpherson
DATE: April 25, 2000
SUBJECT: OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING, VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN RESPONSE UNIT GRANT RENEWAL
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize $30,000 General Fund cash match and $90,000 grant from the Office of Criminal
Justice Planning to be included in the fiscal year 2000-2001 budget. Appropriate $106,000
to account number 7447-8110 (professional services) and $14,000 to account number
7447-7312 (special services).
BACKGROUND
In June 1998, the City of Santa Clarita received $90,000 in funding for a competitive grant
from the State of California Office of Criminal Justice Planning for a Violence Against
Women Response Unit. At that time, the City Council allocated $30,000 as the required
cash match.
The City has been successful in implementing the grant -funded program during the first
two years of funding. Grant funding has been used to hire an investigator dedicated to
domestic violence cases and to provide community prevention and education programs.
Accomplishments as a result of the funding are as follows:
• Increased networking opportunities and improved working relationship among agencies
working in the field.
• Improved case filing rate with the District Attorney's Office. During July 1999 to
September 1999, there was a 72% filing rate of cases.
• Conducted station briefings with patrol deputies on how to increase the viability of
domestic violence cases through improved documentation and evidence gathering.
• Appeared on "Your City" to discuss violence against women and the current program in
Santa Clarita.
• Honored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for Violence Against
Women Investigator Efforts.
• Referred over 300 victims to appropriate service providers.
• Arrested over 200 violent offenders.
Subsequently, the City's grant award has been extended for another year through
June 30, 2001, contingent upon the allocation of an additional $30,000 match. The grant
extension will be used to continue funding an investigator dedicated to domestic violence
cases, continued education and prevention programs, and support to the Family Violence
Task Force. The grant allows staff to improve tracking of offenders, seek stiffer penalties,
provide victims with resources to seek help, and compile updated and accurate statistics.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Refuse acceptance of grant funding.
Direct staff to find alternate funding.
Other direction as determined by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of this grant program is $120,000. This includes $90,000 from the Office of
Criminal Justice Planning and a required 25% City match of $30,000. The $30,000 match
would be transferred from the 1999-2000 City Council contingency fund.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
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