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HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - Justice Assistance GrantCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 16 April 26, 2005 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Police Department Bob McDonell, Chief of Police John Klein, Lieutenant 949 - 644 -3710 jklein @nbpd.org SUBJECT: Justice Assistance Grant RECOMMENDATION: Receive public comments and accept funding of the Crime Prevention Program under the provisions of the United States Department of Justice, Justice Assistance Grant 2005- F2899- CA -DJ. DISCUSSION: In 1996, with the approval of the City Council, the Police Department applied for a grant to establish the position of Crime Prevention Specialist. The grant was part of a Federal program directed at local law enforcement. The Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) program targeted several areas including crime prevention. As a result of that grant being awarded to the City of Newport Beach, a Crime Prevention Specialist position was established. Every year since 1996, the Police Department has received continued funding, at continuing smaller amounts, for the crime prevention position from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. The Police Department assumed greater financial responsibility for the position with each new budget year. In 2005, the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant program was discontinued. The purpose of several grant programs, including LLEBG, has been combined into a new Federal grant called the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). A requirement of the JAG is the law enforcement agencies in Orange County apply together in one application. The Federal Department of Justice has established the monetary amount for each agency based on prior grants received by each agency. Newport Beach's portion of this grant, $12,474, will continue to provide limited support for the crime prevention position as well as the multi agency task force assigned to clean up meth labs countywide. Justice Assistance Grant April 26, 2005 Page 2 The crime prevention program has successfully met or exceeded the goals set for it at its inception. The scope and activity level of the program has expanded and now includes a part-time Crime Prevention Specialist in addition to the full -time position. The program has been well received by the public and I am satisfied with the progress of the program to date. Administrative requirements of the federal process mandate that the grant be presented for public comment prior to the funds being expended. This requirement will be satisfied by inclusion of this recommendation as a City Council meeting agenda item and allowing the opportunity for the public input on the planned expenditure. Prepared by: John Klein, Lieutenant /Executive Officer Submitted by: Bob McDoneli Chief of Police