REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 11, 2018
FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: MAGGIE NAVARRO
Multi Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium- Investigations Division
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission for the removal of tattoos from gang-affiliated individuals choosing to abandon the gang lifestyle and victims of human trafficking
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Chief of Police to enter into and execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission for the removal of tattoos from gang-affiliated individuals and human trafficking victims who meet the established program criteria and choose to leave the lifestyle.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno, through the Police Department, has entered into the ninth year negotiations with the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (FCEOC) to secure tattoo removal services. For the aforementioned services, the Agency agrees to perform tattoo removal services at no cost, pending the identification or securing of a grant or other revenue stream. If no grant or revenue stream has been identified at the end of the fiscal year, FCEOC and Fresno Police Department shall meet to determine the viability of continuing the program. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would commence on January 1, 2018, and expire on June 30, 2019. The MOU will continue to allow FCEOC the use of the laser tattoo removal machine. FCEOC is agreeing to provide part-time clinic facilities, operating costs, and staff (physicians and nurses) to remove the tattoos for participants referred by the Violence Intervention and Community Service (VICS) to FCEOC. The laser tattoo removal machine will be available to FCEOC for the remainder of the time for services other than tattoo removal for the benefit of FCEOC clients. The laser tattoo removal machine remains the property of the City of Fresno. The net result is that VICS participants get their tattoos removed at no additional cost to the City of Fresno.
BACKGROUND
On January 1, 2009, a purchase order was approved to purchase the Medlite C6 Q-Switched Laser for tattoo removal with 2007 CalGRIP grant award. The Police Department again, applied for and received a grant from the 2009 CalGRIP to continue the tattoo removal services, and was authorized by Council on July 22, 2010.
The California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA), 2011 California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention (CalGRIP) awarded the City of Fresno $250,000 in grant funds for Fresno’s Violence Reduction Strategy. Funds were initially approved and accepted by Council on May 24, 2012.
In an attempt to reduce the number of gang-related crimes in Fresno, the Violence Intervention and Community Services, under the Investigations Division of the Fresno Police Department, has created a process for assisting gang-affiliated individuals and human trafficking victims remove themselves from the lifestyle. The FPD anticipates and responds to the changing needs of neighborhood residents and the community by taking a leadership role to enhance safety, trust and quality of life. The goal of the VICS is to respond to the changing needs of the community by providing high-quality engagement, service to the diverse population of Fresno. By increasing collaborative efforts, as with FCEOC, one minimizes violence in our community and provides support for our youth and families through these partnerships. The removal of gang tattoos and tattoos that hinder employability fall under the Intervention component of the VICS. As a part of VICS Tattoo Removal Program, the participants agree to perform at least 20, approved community service hours per month, for the duration of the treatment period as an exchange for the removal of the tattoos. The average duration of the tattoo removal process is approximately eight to 12 months depending on total area to be treated; therefore, the participants will perform an average of 100 community service hours.
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 program does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this program will not have a negative impact on the General Fund. The proposed program does not involve any exchange of funding. The project is supported by in-kind administrative clerk staff funded by General Fund. Future funding would come from future grant opportunities.
Attachment: FCEOC-TRP Memorandum of Understanding