STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: October 8, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Police Department
EXECUTIVE: Dominique Artis
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize (1) the application for and acceptance of a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Texas Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division (CJD) for the FY 2025 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Services DPD Grant (Grant No. 1578122, Federal/State Award ID No. 15POVC-23-GG-00468-ASSI, Assistance Listing No. 16.575) in the amount of $95,415.17 to adequately respond to victims of violent crime with needed aid for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; (2) the establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $95,415.17 in the CJD FY25 VOCA Victim Services DPD Grant Fund; (3) the receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $95,415.17 in the CJD FY25 VOCA Victim Services DPD Grant Fund; (4) a local cash match in the amount of $23,853.79; and (5) execution of the grant agreement with the CJD and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Total not to exceed $119,268.96 - Financing: CJD FY25 VOCA Victim Services DPD Grant Fund ($95,415.17) and General Fund ($23,853.79) (subject to appropriations)
Body
BACKGROUND
This grant award is from U.S. Department of Justice pass-through the Texas Office of the Governor - Criminal Justice Division to the City of Dallas. The Dallas Police Department's Victim Services Program, formally established in April 1996, provides victims of violent crimes with crisis intervention, information regarding the criminal justice process, information and referral services specifically for victims or family survivors, and court accompaniment requested by the victim. Services are provided through telephone contact, office visits, and/or home visits. The Dallas Police Department's goal is to lessen the trauma experienced by people who are victimized by violent crimes.
This grant has provided over twenty years of funding for the salaries, benefits, training, and supplies of one full-time Victim Advocate and one part-time Victim Advocate. The Victim Services Unit is located in the Crimes Against Persons Division which includes the Homicide, Sexual Assault, Robbery, and Assault Units. Referrals come from the detectives assigned to those units, patrol officers, the community and social service agencies. It is important that victims are informed in a timely manner of the Texas Crime Victims Compensation Program in order to provide emergency financial assistance for funeral benefits which may be needed and to provide referrals to agencies that provide counseling and support.
Victim Advocates provide assistance with the crime victim compensation application, criminal justice process, information and referral, crisis counseling, and court advocacy for the survivors of homicide and victims of sexual assault, robbery, assault and traffic crimes/fatalities such as failure to stop and render aid, intoxication assault or manslaughter, criminal negligent homicide. Advocates also work with detectives, district attorneys and social services agencies to better serve victims of crime to help them in their recovery process.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On December 9, 2020, the City Council authorized an application for and acceptance of the Dallas Police Department Victim Services/18 Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division to adequately respond to victims of violent crime with needed aid for the period October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021, by Resolution No. 20-1922.
On December 9, 2021, the City Council authorized an application for and acceptance of the Dallas Police Department Victim Services/19 Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division to adequately respond to victims of violent crime with needed aid for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022, by Resolution No. 21-2001.
On December 14, 2022, the City Council authorized an application for and acceptance of the Dallas Police Department Victim Services/20 Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division to adequately respond to victims of violent crime with needed aid for the period October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, by Resolution No. 22-1805.
On December 13, 2023, the City Council authorized an application for and acceptance of the Dallas Police Department Victim Services/22 Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division to adequately respond to victims of violent crime with needed aid for the period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, by Resolution No. 23-1691.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2025 |
FY 2026 |
Future Year |
|
CJD FY25 VOCA Victim Services DPD Grant Fund |
$ 95,415.17 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
General Fund |
$ 23,853.79 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$119,268.96 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |