HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - FY 2008 09 COPS GRANT PGM (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
December 9, 2008
Adele Macpherson
FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 CITIZENS' OPTION FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY (COPS) GRANT PROGRAM
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. City Council approve the request from the Los Angeles County Sheriff s Department, Santa
Clarita Valley Station, to use the Fiscal Year 2008-09 Citizens' Option for Public Safety
(COPS) Funds, under Assembly Bill 3229, to continue funding the COBRA (Career
Offenders Burglary Robbery Apprehension) Team.
2. Increase estimated revenue of $281,893 in Account 234-4461.003, Supplemental Law
Enforcement Grant.
3. Appropriate $281,893 to Account 16100-5161.001.
4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any contracts, agreements, or change
orders arising out of this program.
BACKGROUND
Under Assembly Bill 3229, the COPS bill, funding is allocated to municipalities for public safety
programs. Fiscal Year 2008-09 marks the 13th 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 that the
grant provide partial funding of COBRA staff to enhance the Sheriffs efforts to curb youth crime
in Santa Clarita.
APPROVED
As a result of last year's funding, the COBRA Team has been able to handle 1,683 juvenile cases
involving 1,556 suspects. The team has been able to continue the Gang Education and Drug
Education programs for all seventh -grade students, the Teen Court program, and its focus on
graffiti cases. COPS funding has also enhanced the COBRA Team's parent/youth counseling
activities and increased the scope of their public presentations in the community.
Current funding will also allow the COBRA Team to continuein its efforts to apprehend graffiti
vandals and operate the City of Santa Clarita Community Court Diversion Program.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Decline the Fiscal Year 2008-09 COPS Grant funding.
2. Determine alternate use for the Fiscal Year 2008-09 COPS Grant funding.
3. Other action as determined by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The anticipated cost of this program is estimated to be $281,893, to be offset completely by grant
revenue.
ATTACHMENTS
Letter of Request from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Santa Clarita Valley
Station
County of Los Angeles
Sheriffs Department Headquarters
4700 Ramona Boulevard
• Monterey Park, California 91754-2169
ry(661) 255-1121
November 7, 2008
Honorable Bob Kellar, Mayor
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Boulevard #300
Santa Clarita, California 91355-2196
Dear Mayor Kellar:
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 to live and work. This year's grant provides $281,893 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 partially fund the COBRA Team.
As an additional bonus, monies not dedicated for personnel use are used to provide directed
patrol operations that address graffiti, vandalism, 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.
• 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.
The COBRA Team has handled 1,683 juvenile cases to date in 2008, involving 1,556
suspects.
'W ✓r¢ortflon 0,f cseroice cSince 1950
I
MAYOR BOB KELLAR -2- NOVEMBER 7, 2008
Insofar as accountability is concerned, you should know that we make quarterly reports via
the Prevention Policy Board that oversees the grant and we continue to receive favorable
responses from its members. I
I am asking for your approval to use the 2008-2009 COPS Grant funds to continue these
programs.
Sincerely,
LEROY D. BACA, SHERIFF
Jacques A. La Berge, Captain
Santa Clarita Valley Station