HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - PUBLIC SAFETY GRANT (2)Agenda Item: _4_
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Adele Macpherson
DATE: December 12, 2006
SUBJECT: FY 2006-07 CITIZEN'S OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS)
GRANT
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council to approve the request from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Santa
Clarita Valley Station, to use the Citizen's Option for Public Safety (COPS) Funds, under
Assembly Bill 3229, to continue funding the COBRA (Career Offenders Burglary Robbery
Apprehension) Team.
Establish estimated revenue of $325,845 in Account Number 211-5211, Supplemental Law
Enforcement Services Fund.
Appropriate $325,845 to Account Number 7441-8001 for Contractual Services to implement the
COBRA Team's programs.
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any contracts, agreements, or change
orders arising out of this program.
Under Assembly Bill 3229, the COPS bill, funding is allocated to municipalities for public safety
programs. Fiscal Year 2006-07 marks the 1 lth program year the City has been eligible to receive
grant funding from this program.
According to grant requirements, City Council shall appropriate the funds in accordance with a
written request submitted by the Chief Administrator of the local law enforcement agency. The
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station, has proposed continued
funding of COBRA staff to oversee youth -related law enforcement efforts and crime prevention.
As a result of last year's funding, the COBRA Team has been able to handle 1,882 juvenile
cases, involving 1,760 suspects. The team has been able to continue the Gang Education and
Drug Education Programs for all seventh -grade students, the Teen Court Program, as well as its
focus on graffiti cases. Funding has allowed for the expansion of the School Emergency
Operations Response Plans in all schools, from elementary through high school. COPS funding
has also enhanced the COBRA Team's parent/youth counseling activities, and public
presentation efforts in the community.
Current funding will also allow the COBRA Team in its efforts to apprehend graffiti vandals, and
operate the City of Santa Clarita Community Court Diversion Program.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Determine alternate use for the COPS Grant.
Other action as determined by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The anticipated cost of this program is estimated to be $325,845, to be offset completely by grant
revenue.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Letter of Request from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Santa
Clarita Valley Station
2. 71., sr lf
County of Los Angeles
Sheriffs Department Headquarters
4700 Ramona Boulevard
Monterey Park, California 91754-2169
(661) 255-1121
November 17, 2006
Laurene Weste, Mayor
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Boulevard, #300
Santa Clarita, California 91355-2196
Dear Mayor Weste:
For the past several years, the City of Santa Clarita has received a significant criminal justice
grant under Assembly Bill 3229 that has aided us in our efforts to make Santa Clarita a safer
place in which to live and work. This year's grant provides $325,845 from the State of
California for a Citizen's Option for Public Safety (COPS) Program.
The COPS grant has been used to enhance our efforts to curb youth crime in Santa Clarita.
Specifically, the funding has enabled us to maintain the COBRA Team staffing.
As an additional bonus, monies not dedicated for personnel use were used to provide
additional directed patrols that address pressing issues dealing with vandalism, assault -
related gang activity, and auto burglaries. .
Some highlights from this year's activities included:
Continuation of the Gang Education and Drug Education Programs for all seventh -grade
students in Santa Clarita, and the Teen Court Program.
Expanding the School Emergency Operations Response Plans by including all
elementary schools, along with each high school and junior high school.
The COBRA Team continues to enhance their parent/youth counseling efforts. They
have also increased the scope of their public presentations to groups of parents, school
employees, community groups, and the business community.
9 gradlioo of cseruice c5mce 1850
Mayor Laurene Weste -2- November 17, 2006
The COBRA Team has handled 1,882 juvenile cases for the year 2005, involving 1,760
suspects.
Insofar as accountability is concerned, you should know that we make quarterly reports to
the Prevention Policy Board that oversees the grant and have received favorable responses.
I am asking for your approval to use the 2006-2007 COPS Grant funds to continue these
programs.
Sincerely,
LEROY D. BACA, SHERIFF
A'Z/L -c .
Michael W. Dunkle, Acting Captain
Santa Clarita Valley Station
cc: City Councilmembers