REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 5, 2019
FROM: ANDREW HALL, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: PATRICK FARMER, Deputy Police Chief
Investigations Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the 2019 Supporting Victims of Gang Violence grant program
1. Authorize the Chief of Police to accept $320,000 in grant funding for the Supporting Victims of Gang Violence grant awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
2. ***RESOLUTION - 18th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2019-133 appropriating $85,000 for the Police Department’s Supporting Victims of Gang Violence grant (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayor’s veto)
3. ***RESOLUTION - 2nd Amendment to Position Authorization Resolution (PAR) No. 2019-134 establishing the number of positions authorized in the various departments and offices of the City for Fiscal Year 2020 (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council authorize acceptance of $320,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), allowing the Chief of Police to enter into and execute the agreement and any amendments or modifications, adopt the 18th Amendment to AAR No 2019-133 to appropriate $85,000 funding into the FY 2020 budget, and adopt the 2nd Amendment to Position Authorization Resolution No. 2019-134 adding one Staff Assistant position to the Fresno Police Department. The remaining funds will be utilized in FY 2021-2023. Funds have been awarded for the 2019 Supporting Victims of Gang Violence to the Fresno Police Department’s Violence Intervention & Community Services Unit within the Investigations Division.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno has been awarded grant funds of $320,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Programs Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to provide direct treatment services to the victims of gang violence in Qualified Opportunity Zones within the City of Fresno. The grant period is from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2022.
BACKGROUND
In Fresno County there has been a long and deep-rooted history of gangs and gang violence. Recent statistics from the Multi Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC) indicate there are an estimated 25,871 validated gang members and associates in 141 established gangs within Fresno County and 55 percent residing within the boundaries of the City of Fresno. According to the Fresno Police Department Monthly Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data indicates that in 2018, 69 percent of murders were gang related compared to 50 percent in 2017. In 2018, 692 trauma patients (16 percent) were seen at Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) following an assault.
The Fresno Police Department intends to enhance existing programs that have resulted in a positive impact on the lives of at-risk youth in the City of Fresno. The programs are FPD’s Violence Intervention & Community Services (VICS) Unit, Fresno County EOC Tattoo Removal Program, The Current Church Hospital Based Violence Intervention Program and CARE Fresno. We will incorporate comprehensive community based services and activities, confidence building, life skills, leadership development and hospital based programs to engage victims of gang related violence. These programs will provide an extensive approach to violence prevention and intervention services for victims of gang related violence within our city.
The VICS full-time grant funded Staff Assistant will support Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HBVIP) Crisis Responders with services referrals, Tattoo Removal Program (TRP) participant intake, enrollment and treatment process as they are identified, including recommendations for resources through case management. The HBVIP is supervised and managed by The Current Church Inc. Project Restore and Fresno Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC). In our community, violence is a perpetual cycle. To combat this, a collaborative effort with the FPD was developed to recognize violence and intervene at the local medical trauma level.
CARE Fresno is devoted to their neighborhood through holistic ministries. CARE Fresno’s goal is to create safe and healthy communities by training site leaders to live in gang infested neighborhoods. Apartment complexes are identified by FPD computer crime analysis of gang related calls for service. CARE Fresno initiates contact with the apartment complex manager, develops a partnership, trains and assigns a facilitator, and creates a community center within the complex. Trained facilitators live on-site and work with the residents.
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 accepting grant funds does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no immediate impact to the General Fund. The grant provides full cost recovery for all operations, training and supplies for this program during the life of the grant. Expenses will be claimed and reimbursed on a quarterly basis. This funding will enable the Fresno Police Department to enhance its current capabilities and response to victims of gang violence within the City of Fresno.
Attachments:
Grant Agreement
18th Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2019-133
2nd Amendment to Position Authorization Resolution No. 2019-134