STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: September 25, 2019
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
EXECUTIVE: Jon Fortune
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SUBJECT
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Authorize the (1) application for and acceptance of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program Grant (Federal/State Award ID. No. 2018-GP-BX-0063, CFDA No. 16.609) in the amount of $119,194.65 from the U.S. Department of Justice passed through the Texas Office of the Governor - Criminal Justice Division for the purpose of addressing gangs and gun activity to create and foster safer neighborhoods for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020; (2) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $119,194.65 in the FY20 Project Safe Neighborhoods Program Fund; (3) receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $119,194.65 in the FY20 Project Safe Neighborhoods Program Fund; and (4) execution of the grant agreement and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Not to exceed $119,194.65 - Financing: U.S. Department of Justice Grant Funds
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BACKGROUND
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. The foundations of the PSN strategy are:
• Community-Based - Each local program is contoured to fit the specific violent crime problem in that district.
• Targeted - Utilizes law enforcement and community intelligence, along with cutting-edge technology, to identify and target the most violent offenders for enforcement action.
• Comprehensive - Directs United States Attorneys to marry enforcement efforts with support of prevention and reentry strategies to truly combat violent crime in a lasting way.
The Dallas Police Department (DPD) is currently employing a crime reduction strategy, which focuses on gangs, guns and illicit drugs. The DPD work group that is assigned to the PSN plays an integral part in this crime reduction strategy by its involvement in dealing with each of the three crime reduction targets. The DPD work group takes enforcement action against gangs and violent criminals who are participants in narcotic trades and firearm offenses. On a daily basis, intelligence gathered is an important asset in tracking violent criminals’ behaviors that are plaguing neighborhoods and communities’ quality of life.
PSN funding will be used for leased vehicles, computers, and other technology to assist with intelligence gathering operations. The goal of this project is to realize a decrease in Homicides, Aggravated Assaults, and Robberies in the selected target areas.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
City Council will be briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on September 20, 2019.
FISCAL INFORMATION
U.S. Department of Justice Grant Funds - $119,194.65