SR-701-006
PD: JTB: DR: F:\police\share\staffrpt\GALE2000grant
Council Meeting: March 28, 2000 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize an Application to the Department of Alcoholic
Beverage Control (ABC) to Receive an Award of $66,379 in Grant Funding
to Participate in the GALE (Grant Assisting Law Enforcement) project.
Introduction
This report recommends the City Council authorize an application for $66,379 of grant
funding from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The grant
funding would offset costs of implementing an aggressive five-phase program designed to
curtail problems related to licensed alcohol outlets within the City.
Background
In 1997, the City was awarded its first Grant Assistance to Law Enforcement (GALE) grant
from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. This $100,000 award was used to
establish a program with several objectives which included: identifying and targeting
problematic ABC licensed locations, conducting task force operations involving ABC
locations, reducing calls for service at licensed ABC locations through the application of
various enforcement strategies, and developing and implementing an ongoing standard
ABC enforcement procedure and training program within the Police Department.
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The Police Department was also able to operate a Minor Decoy Program in both 1997 and
1998 with funding from ABC GALE grants covering those years. As was the case in 1995,
several locations were again discovered to be in violation of the sale of alcohol to minors
prohibition. After the implementation of GALE programs in 1997 and 1998, there were
significant drops in the total number of alcohol related offenses. There were 1,968 total
alcohol-related arrests in 1998, 1,961 in 1997, and 1,715 in 1999.
Discussion
The Police Department wishes to apply for GALE grant funding for the FY 2000-2001. If
the grant is received, the Vice Unit will implement a GALE program using an aggressive
strategy designed to improve the quality of life for all people who live in and visit the City.
This grant-funded program will focus attention on middle school and high school students
in an effort to educate them about the effects of alcohol, and the consequences of alcohol-
related crimes. Officers assigned to the project will work closely with the Police
Department?s School Resource Officer to conduct this educational effort in all middle
schools and high schools in Santa Monica. Officers will identify ABC establishments which
violate state and local liquor laws and will work with them to gain their cooperation and
compliance. Additionally, the Minor Decoy Program will be re-instituted, in order to create
enhanced awareness of ABC liquor laws. Furthermore, twice yearly training will be
provided to all ABC licensed locations within the City. Additional training will be provided
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for police officers, to update them on current ABC laws, investigative techniques and
prosecutorial requirements.
The Santa Monica Police Department?s long-term goal is to gain cooperation of all ABC
license holders and compliance with alcohol licensing requirements. The Police
Department, through implementation of the GALE program, will bring together a broad
coalition of interested local entities having the shared goal of reducing alcohol-related
crimes and nuisances. The program partners will include the Santa Monica Police
Department, the Santa Monica Fire Department, the California Department of Alcoholic
Beverage Control (ABC), local businesses, schools, and the Los Angeles County Health
Department.
Budget/Financial Impact
A proposed first-year budget for the grant program is provided in Attachment B, which
follows this staff report.
As indicated in the proposed grant program budget, 0.5 FTE (1,000 hours) of Police Officer
overtime (for all aspects of the program) and 0.5 FTE (960 hours) of Police Cadet time (for
the Minor Decoy program component) will be completely dedicated to the GALE program.
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If ABC provides the requested grant funding, these will be limited term appropriations
within the Police Department?s budget. These appropriations will be subject to elimination
at the expiration of the grant period.
Existing Vice Unit Officers and other existing personnel will operate the program. Program
supplies and other expenses will be financed with a combination of grant funds and regular
Police (Maintenance of Effort) Budget funds. Any budget changes needed for execution of
the grant agreement and implementation of the grant-funded program will be made
subsequent to the receipt of a grant offer from ABC.
In the event the grant is awarded to the Police Department, the required revenue and
expenditure budgets for FY 2000-01 will be included in the proposed line item budget that
will be presented to the City Council as part of the City?s normal budget process.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager and the Chief of Police
to apply for up to $66,379 of GALE grant funding from the Department of Alcoholic
Beverage Control.
Prepared by: James T. Butts, Jr., Chief of Police
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