HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 - Justice Assistance GrantCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 13
April 11, 2006
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Police Department
John Desmond, Captain
Acting Chief of Police, 949 644 3650, jdesmond @nbpd.org
Tom Gazsi, Lieutenant, 949 - 644 -3710, tgazsi @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
2006- 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. Several
grant programs, including LLEBG, were then combined into a new Federal grant called
the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). A requirement of the JAG is for all law
enforcement agencies in Orange County to 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,
$7,422.03, 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 11, 2006
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 public input on the planned expenditure.
Prepared by:
Tom Gazsi, Lieutenant
Executive Officer
Submitted by:
John Desmond, Captain
Acting Chief of Police