REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 26, 2015
FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: ROBERT NEVAREZ, Deputy Chief
Administrative, Support & Special Services Divisions
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the Chief of Police to enter in Memorandums of Understanding ("MOU's") with the Community Based Organizations ("CBO's") as identified in the California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention ("CalGRIP") 2015-2017 grant program agreement
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended City Council authorize the Chief of Police to enter into MOU's with the CBO's partnering under the CalGRIP 2015/2017 grant project: California State University Fresno, Fresno Police Activities League, Fresno/Madera Youth for Christ, Fresno Neighborhood Watch/Bringing Broken Neighborhoods Back to Life, Care Fresno, Barrios Unidos, Fresno Police Chaplaincy, Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission and Cornerstone Community Care/Outreach. At the December 18, 2014, City Council meeting, the grant agreement for $1,500,000 from the Board of State and Community Corrections ("BSCC"), for the 2015 CalGRIP grant program, was approved and funding was appropriated in the FY 15 budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The BSCC awarded the City of Fresno $1,500,000 in grant funds for continued staffing of the Mayor's Gang Prevention Initiative, Ceasefire strategies, community engagement and CBO's partners. The grant started on January 1, 2015, and concludes on December 31, 2017. In conjunction with the grant objectives, a regional approach to anti-gang violence will incorporate multiple jurisdictions and organizations to embrace the goal of reducing gang activity in the City of Fresno and adjacent areas. In developing this approach we have engaged public participation by partnering with several non-profit organizations toward these objectives as evidenced in the MOU's.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno is one of the 25 areas in the State of California designated as a "High Intensity Gang Area" ("HIGAS"). Due to the number of gang members living in our city, reducing fear and violent crime through the eradication of gangs requires a comprehensive, collaborative community effort. The Fresno Police Department was recently awarded $1,500,000 for the 2015-2017 CalGRIP grant to augment current work in this area.
The grant requires 20% of the funding to be allocated to CBO's for various prevention and intervention programs targeting gang and gun related violence. The MOU's provide details of the agreement by and between Fresno Police Department and each agency for their participation in the grant program as summarized below:
1. The Fresno Barrios Unidos organization will implement the evidence based "El Joven Noble" program for youth and young men residing in the City. El Joven Noble is a ten session youth development, support and leadership enhanced curriculum which is designed to strengthen self-esteem among males, ages 11-24.
2. Care Fresno will continue with five recently established community learning program sites in gang dominated apartment complexes. Care Fresno leaders heal neighborhoods through holistic ministries such as after-school tutoring, sports, mentoring, Bible studies and summer camps.
3. The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission will continue to operate the Tattoo Removal Program ("TRP") hosted at their health services clinic. The goal of TRP is to enable individuals to transition from the gang lifestyle into mainstream society and become employable.
4. Cornerstone Community Care will continue the recently established street outreach program. Seasoned street outreach workers will continue training and responding to gang related incidents in the City of Fresno. By responding soon after the incident, street outreach workers will help diffuse the retaliatory mind set of those involved and lessen the probability of violence escalating. The project goal is to provide outreach in areas of the City with the highest rate of gang violence and shootings.
5. The Fresno Police Activities League will provide structured youth activities in boxing and karate programs. Youth enrolled in programs will be provided with a mentor, access to tutors, and the opportunity to compete in local and statewide sporting events.
6. Fresno Neighborhood Watch-Bringing Back Broken Neighborhoods will conduct mobile outreach events in neighborhoods identified in need of assistance. The project goal is to bridge resources and local ministries to residents in identified neighborhoods.
7. The Fresno/Madera Youth For Christ chapter will develop and implement a youth vocational program to those recently released from Juvenile Hall. Youth will be mentored and guided on the essential tools and principles of running a business and marketing a product.
8. The Fresno Police Chaplaincy will enhance their current successful mentoring program in local schools identified as being in great need of gang prevention. The program will devote a full-time case manager responsible for matching mentors with mentees in elementary and middle schools in the City of Fresno.
9. The grant requires 10% of the funding to be used for data collection and development of a local evaluation plan. The evaluation project will be conducted by California State University, Fresno.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a "project" for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because the grant agreement is funded by state and federal programs.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this program will not have a negative impact on the City of Fresno's General Fund. This is a reimbursement-based grant and all expenditures will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis. The local dollar-for-dollar match requirement of $1,500,000 over three years will come from the existing staff salaries assigned to the program. No additional personnel will be hired. There are no future obligations once the performance period has expired and all funds expended.
Attachment: MOU's