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HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM V-Lcrnr or AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM # WASHINGTON Agenda Subject: Date: Approve Award of JAG Grant 7/19/11 Department: Attachments: Budget Impact: $33,631.00 Police Resolution No. 4731 Administrative Recommendation: City Council approve Resolutuioin No. 4731 to authorize the Mayor to accept the award of the JAG "Byrne Memorial" Grant once notification has been received and ti implementsuch administrative procedures as may be required. Background Summary: The City of Auburn submitted an application for a Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, U.S. Department of Justice in the amount of $33,631.00. The City's grant application included a funding request for overtime related to programs such as: Teen Late Night Crime Prevention Block-Watch Meetings DUI Enforcement Racer Emphasis Patrols Citizen's Police Academy Fireworks Emphasis Patrols The U.S. Department of Justice is expected to probide notification of approval of the City of Auburn's grant application in the amount requested. The City of Auburn has been utilizing federal law enforcement grant funding for approximately 11 years. These funds have been used to support several of our community policing efforts as outlined above. The continuation of these grant funds will ensure that these programs continue with the same frequency as in years past. Reviewed by Council & Committees: Reviewed by Departments & Divisions: ❑ Arts Commission COUNCIL COMMITTEES: ❑ Building ❑ M&O ❑ Airport ® Finance ❑ Cemetery ❑ Mayor ❑ Hearing Examiner ® Municipal Serv. ❑ Finance ❑ Parks ❑ Human Services ❑ Planning & CD ❑ Fire ❑ Planning ❑ Park Board ❑Public Works ❑ Legal ❑ Police ❑ Planning Comm. ❑ Other ❑ Public Works ❑ Human Resources ❑ Information Services Action: Committee Approval: ❑Yes ❑No Council Approval: ❑Yes ❑No Call for Public Hearing Referred to Until Tabled Until Councilmember: Peloza Staff: Lee Meeting Date: 9/6/11 Item Number: Am= RESOLUTION NO. 4731 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR A BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice has made available to local jurisdictions on a statewide formula basis Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds, and WHEREAS, the City of Auburn submitted an application to fund overtime for community policing efforts such as the Teen Late-Night Program, Crime Prevention Block-Watch Meetings, DUI Enforcement, Racer Emphasis Patrols, Citizen's Police Academy, and Fireworks Emphasis Patrols, and WHEREAS, based upon information from the U.S. Department of Justice, the City of Auburn anticipates a Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant will be awarded to the City. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Purpose. The Auburn City Council does hereby authorize the Mayor to accept a Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice in the amount of Thirty-Three Thousand Six Hundred Thirty One and no/100 ($33,631.00). Section 2. Implementation. The Mayor of the City of Auburn is hereby authorized to implement such administrative procedures as may be necessary to Resolution No. 4606 July 19, 2011 Page 1 carry out the directions of this Resolution and further authorizes the amendment of the respective department's budget. Section 3. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect and be in full force upon passage and signatures hereon. DATED and SIGNED THIS DAY OF 2011. CITY OF AUBURN ATTEST: PETER B. LEWIS, MAYOR Danielle E. Daskam, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Daniel B. Heid, City Attorney Resolution No. 4606 July 19, 2011 Page 2 City of Auburn, Washington FY 2011 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Application Program Narrative Program Period: 10/1/11 to 09/30/15 Disparate Jurisdiction: N/A The City of Auburn is making application to the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance under the 2011 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). The City of Auburn has been allocated $33,631 for the purposes of supporting law enforcement programs. The City of Auburn Police Department has historically utilized the funds received under the Byrne Memorial JAG to support community-policing efforts. The concept of community policing enables officers to work in specific neighborhoods for a protracted period of time, become knowledgeable about specific neighborhoods and develop special relationships with residents and business owners. Developing a rapport with the community members allows officers to problem-solve with residents while at the same time build trust and open lines of communication. A desired result is to enhance the officers' ability to recognize those conditions requiring a law enforcement response. Much of this work is conducted in addition to the regular duties of police officers which is primarily to respond to 911 calls for service. Over the last few years the Justice Assistance Grant program has funded overtime costs so that officers can participate in such community policing efforts as: Teen Late-Night Program Crime Prevention Block Watch Meetings DUI Enforcement Patrols Street Racer Emphasis Patrols Citizen's Police Academy Fireworks Emphasis Patrols The City of Auburn intends to continue funding its community policing efforts upon the receipt of the 2011 JAG award. The City of Auburn receives no additional federal funding and very limited state funding to support these community-policing efforts. The anticipated JAG funds will not be used to supplant existing funds, but rather, will be used to supplement funds from the general overtime account. The following is a brief outline of each program that will be funded under the 2011 JAG award: 1. Auburn Parks and Recreation Teen Late-Night Program: The Auburn Late Night Program features opportunities in recreation, arts and crafts, leadership and skill building. The program is designed for middle school and high school aged youth living in or attending school within the City of Auburn School District boundaries. The program has been in existence for over ten years and has involved Auburn Police participation since its inception. The Auburn Police Department provides two commissioned police officers to provide security for the event, as well as an opportunity to interact with the youth and answer specific law enforcement related questions. This program has had tremendous success in providing a positive place for teens to gather and interact in a safe environment. The Auburn School District administration fully supports this program and feels that, "The Auburn Police Department provides a valuable service in support of a program that steers our youth toward positive decision making." The need for this program to continue is vital, as the positive impact it has on the youth of Auburn is significant. 2. Crime Prevention Block Watch Meetings: The Auburn Police Department has an active Block Watch program with over forty organized groups in the city. The Auburn Police Department takes a unique approach to Block Watch in that a representative from the Patrol Division accompanies the Community Programs/Crime Prevention officer to nearly every Block Watch meeting. The officers are assigned to community oriented policing districts and have in-depth knowledge of criminal activity in these areas. Having a member of patrol on hand to answer specific questions posed by residents is paramount as these officers have the most up to date and relevant knowledge of problems in their district. 3. DUI Enforcement Patrols: In surveys conducted among our residents, speeding and negligently driven vehicles is of great concern. Auburn is also home to the Muckleshoot Tribal Casino, which is one of the largest casinos in the state and a source of a significant number of DUI drivers arrested in greater King County. DUI Enforcement Patrols, funded by the Community Policing Overtime Grant allow officers to spend a protracted amount of time in high DUI risk areas. These patrols have lead to an increase in DUI arrests and as a result have left a positive impact on the community members as well as their ability to travel safely through the city. In addition to the JAG, the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission will occasionally offer one-time funding for special DUI emphasis patrols. The City of Auburn has taken advantage of these funding opportunities in the past, and we will continue to enhance our JAG funding whenever possible. 4. Street Racer Emphasis Patrols: Auburn is home to several industrial and business areas that have an abundance of paved straight-aways that the street racer community has been using to conduct illegal street races. Many of the businesses that operate in these areas are open 24 hours per day with employees coming and going all through the day and night. These conditions, in addition to the inherent dangers involved in street racing cause concern for the safety of community members. The police department has been working with business owners to rectify this on- going problem. The JAG award will provide a continued funding source to support the on-going Racer Emphasis Patrols. 5. Citizen's Academy: Since 1993 the Auburn Police Department has hosted a Citizen's Police Academy for local residents. The Citizen's Academy is a 12 week program where participants meet one evening each week to learn about law enforcement operations and interact with Police Department employees. They have first hand interaction with officers and employees at all levels from the Chief of Police to the volunteer coordinator. Topics of discussion include K-9 operations, narcotics and other investigations, firearms/officer survival, records management, traffic enforcement, police pursuits, and patrol operations, internal investigations and more. The JAG funds have been utilized to pay for the officers to hold this program which occurs outside of normal business hours. This program has been very successful in educating our community members about the basics of law enforcement, teaching them about the functions of the Auburn Police Department, and more importantly, building public trust and support. 6. Fireworks Emphasis Patrols: The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has a large fireworks sales and discharge area within the city limits of Auburn. Laws regarding fireworks vary between the city of Auburn, King County, and the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation. There are also several fireworks stands that open for business just outside the city limits, creating access for individuals to purchase fireworks and bring them back into the city for discharge. The City of Auburn must remain vigil in its efforts to maintain a safe environment for its citizens. The illegal transportation and discharge of fireworks are a great concern to the safety of the citizens of Auburn. The police department uses JAG funds to support fireworks emphasis patrols leading up to and through the fourth of July in an attempt to limit injuries and property damage that result from unlawful discharge of fireworks. In conclusion, the City of Auburn has been utilizing federal law enforcement grant funding for over ten years. These funds have been used to support several of our community policing efforts as previously outlined. The continuation of these grant funds will ensure that these programs continue with the same frequency as in years past. The City of Auburn has been compliant, responsible, and judicious in its use of federal grant funding, and continued support for these programs is requested. Respectfully Submitted, Commander Mike Hirman Auburn Police Department