SR-032508-1K~_
~;tYo, City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: March 25, 2008
AgendaJtem: _~~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Timothy J. Jackman, Chief of Police
Subject: Designation of Uses and Appropriation of $194,761 of State Citizens'
Option for Public Safety (COPS) Funding.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council appropriate and approve uses for $175,223 of
2007 State COPS funding and $19,538 of related interest earnings. The report also
requests authorization to utilize the State COPS funding for the purchase of digital
recorders, digital negotiation equipment, License Plate Reader and specialized
electronic equipment.
Executive Summary
COPS grant funding is provided for front-line law enforcement expenses that are not
funded as part of the normal budget process. The funding will be utilized to purchase
the following items for the Police Department:
1. Digital recorders for detectives to utilize during interviews that will record clears
and precise information, rather than the older regular tape recorders which have
outlived their use.
2. Anew recording system for the Crisis Negotiation Team, which will replace the
outdated rescue phone. The equipment digitally records all calls and
automatically keeps an ongoing log of events and also secures all audio and text
files for evidentiary purposes.
3. License Plate Reader. The system captures images of all license plates that
come into view of the cameras and query criminal databases to compare the
scanned license plates with those entered in the databases as wanted or stolen.
4. Specialized electronic equipment to be used during special operations, the
equipment would include but not limited to lighting for undercover vehicles,
electronic surveillance equipment and cameras.
The approximate cost will be $194,761.
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Discussion
State Citizens' Option for Public Safety (COPS) funds are provided to local jurisdictions
to help finance front-line law enforcement expenses that are not funded as part of a
jurisdiction's regular budgeting process. The City has received annual State COPS
funds allocations since 1996. Uses for the State COPS funds that a jurisdiction
received must be formally approved and designated by the jurisdiction's governing body
at a public meeting.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The 2007 COPS allocation of $175,223 has been received and recorded at account
22304.405810 "COPS-Per Capita'. An appropriation is required for $194,761, including
the annual allocation of $175,223 and interest earnings of $19,538, at account
022053078.589000.
Prepared. by: Neela Patel, Senior Administrative Analyst -Police Budget
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
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