REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 22, 2018
FROM: JERRY DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: ANDREW HALL, Deputy Chief
Support and Special Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Decisions For Life program
1. ***RESOLUTION - 58th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2017-165 appropriating $68,000 of Decisions For Life (DFL) program carryover to continue operating this program during this fiscal year (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayor’s veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council approve a resolution adopting the 58th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2017-165 appropriating $68,000 of program carryover to cover operating costs for the remainder of FY 2018.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We are requesting $68,000 of current carryover in the Decisions For Life, a first time DUI Offender program, to maintain operational costs throughout FY 2018. This highly successful and lifesaving program is violator funded and essential in keeping our city streets safe by preventing impaired driving through education. The primary goal of this program is to change behavior before a tragedy occurs.
BACKGROUND
The Decisions For Life program is a first time DUI offender educational program created by the Fresno Police Department’s Traffic Bureau in 2008. This program educates those convicted in the Fresno County Superior Court for the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This program is designed to change behavior through education. Upon conviction, violators are given the option to attend this class and a fine reduction is granted by the County. This class is solely funded by the violator and they are required to pay the Police Department a fee to attend. The goal of this program is to get the first time offender through the Court and DMV process quickly so that they can continue to be a productive citizen in our community. We understand that all people make mistakes and that is why this class is limited to first time offenders only. The Decisions For Life program is instructed and facilitated by Fresno Police Traffic Officers and also utilizes health care professionals to educate regarding the dangers of impaired driving and the physiological effects of alcohol. Another strong component in this program is our partnership with our local MADD chapter. MADD volunteers speak to the participants in the class, bringing a real life story of the tragedies that impaired driving can cause. We are proud to maintain a less than 4% recidivism rate in those who have attended this class. Not only are we correcting behavior through education, we are making the streets of Fresno safer for all in our community.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The purchase of law enforcement equipment is not a “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered since this item does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no General Fund impact. The Decisions For Life program is self-sustaining and does not utilize General Fund dollars. All costs within the program are funded by the violator’s enrollment fees.
Attachment: 58th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2017-165