SR-112508-1BCity Council Meeting: November 25, 2008
Agenda Item: ~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Timothy J. Jackman, Chief of Police
Subject: Justice Assistance Grant Funds
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council appropriate the $19,948 award under the 2008
Justice Assistance Grant program, designate use of the fund for the DNA/Advanced
Forensic Evidence project and approve the budget changes.
Executive Summary
The City is eligible to receive a grant award of $19,948 under the 2008 Justice
Assistance Grant program, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2005,
2006 and 2007 Council authorized the Police Department to apply funds awarded under
the JAG program to the "DNA/Advanced Forensic Evidence" project. Funds are
received in the first year of a four-year grant period. No local match is .required.
The project pays costs for certified crime labs to analyze and report findings on .DNA
and other forensic evidence collected in major crimes. The addition of $19,948 from the
2008 JAG award will ensure continued access to the lab services through December
2012.
Discussion
JAG grant funding has given the Police Department a potent investigative tool that is too
costly to pay from the operating budget. Among the crimes solved in 2006 through DNA
analysis are five of Santa Monica's most troubling cold case homicides.
As a condition to this grant, the applicant must provide a 30-day period of public
comment on the proposed use of the funds. Santa Monica met this condition by issuing
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a public service announcement from September 17 through October 17, 2008. The
announcement was posted on the City and Police Department websites, public bulletin
boards in City Hall and the Public Safety Facility and a-mail distribution of a Police
Department community bulletin. One response was received in support of the proposed
grant project. No responses were received in opposition to the project.
To qualify, the proposal must fall within one of seven defined purpose areas: Law
enforcement, prosecution, prevention, corrections, drug treatment, planning and
technology, or as a qualified project under the former Local Law Enforcement Block
Grant Program.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The JAG program pays 100% of eligible project costs. No local match is required. The
following FY2008-2009 budget changes will be necessary:
1. Establish a revenue budget in the amount of $19,948 at account number
20304.403628
2. Appropriate the grant funds to 20307.578834.
Prepared by:
Kevin McGowan, Assistant to the Chief of Police
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
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