REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 21, 2014
FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: PATRICK F. FARMER, Deputy Chief
Police Department - Investigative Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
*RESOLUTION - 7th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution 2014-95 appropriating $94,000 into the FY 15 budget for the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Project from the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) (Requires 5 affirmative votes)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council, Adopt the 7th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) 2014-95 appropriating $94,000 into the FY 15 budget for the continuance of the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force grant project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno was granted an extension for the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Project funded by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), to be administered by the CalOES. The grant was scheduled to end June 30, 2014, but has been extended through June 30, 2015. The appropriation of funds is needed in the FY 15 budget to utilize all remaining grant funds. Staff requests the City Council adopt the 7th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation (AAR) 2014-95 to appropriate $94,000 into the FY 15 budget to continue Anti-Human Trafficking task Force activities and expend all grant funding.
BACKGROUND
In 2011, City Council accepted grant funding for the Anti-Human Task Force grant project. Funding was made available through Federal 2011 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG. Funds provided will be used to target the ongoing and increasing problem of human trafficking within our jurisdiction. According to the "Human Trafficking in California" report, our state is a top destination for human traffickers. Its immense international border, major harbors and airports, in addition to its large and accelerating immigrant populations, make it a prime target for traffickers. Human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal enterprise in the world and is the fastest growing criminal enterprise around the world (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
The US Department of State reports that the impact of human trafficking includes increased criminal and gang activity, child exploitation, public health problems, and depressed wages. The link between human trafficking and other criminal activities such as drug-trafficking, prostitution, money-laundering, forced labor and organized crime cannot be ignored and contributes to increased crime rates, and the violation of human rights.
The focus of this project is to increase the identification of trafficking victims through proactive law enforcement tactics. As victims are identified, and through agreements with the Marjaree Mason Center (MMC), Family Healing Center (FHC) and the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC), access to necessary services will be provided to them. Through its Sanctuary and Youth Services ("SYS"), EOC will provide comprehensive services such as referrals to emergency housing, identification documents, and legal services (court documents for custody paperwork and name changes). MMC will provide comprehensive services to the victims such as safety planning, shelter referral, counseling, and legal assistance consisting of filling out and filing restraining orders, assistance with child custody, child support, divorce, immigration, T-Visas, criminal proceedings, and court accompaniment.
While this project was augmented in FY 14 with additional funding, it was anticipated to fully expend all funds by June 30, 2014. The State CALOES has granted an extension for FY 15 to spend down all remaining funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
N/A
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
The impact to the General Fund will be to minimize General Fund overtime costs to conduct task force operations. The grant will provide funding for continued operations.
JPD:ce:lc
08/21/2014
Attachment: 7th Amendment to AAR 2014-95