STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: December 8, 2021
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
EXECUTIVE: Jon Fortune
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
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Authorize the (1) application for and acceptance of the Dallas Police Department Victim Services/19 Grant (Grant No. 1578119, Federal/State Award ID No. 2020-V2-GX-0004, CFDA No. 16.575), from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division in the amount of $73,212.13 to adequately respond to victims of violent crime with needed aid for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022; (2) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $73,212.13 in the DPD Victim Services Grant/19 21-22 Fund; (3) receipt and deposit of grant funds in an amount not to exceed $73,212.13 in the DPD Victim Services Grant/19 21-22 Fund; (4) a local match in the amount of $18,303.03; and (5) execution of the grant agreement and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Total not to exceed $91,515.16 - Financing: Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division State Grant Funds ($73,212.13) and General Fund ($18,303.03) (subject to appropriations)
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BACKGROUND
This grant award is from Federal (U.S. Department of Justice) pass through State (Office of 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 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)
Dallas Police Department Victim Services/16 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, 2016 through September 30, 2018, by Resolution No. 16-1678.
On October 24, 2018, City Council authorized an application for and acceptance of the Dallas Police Department Victim Services/17 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, 2018 through September 30, 2020, by Resolution No. 18-1527.
On December 9, 2020, 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, 2019 through September 30, 2021, by Resolution No. 20-1922.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2022 |
FY 2023 |
Future Year |
|
Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division State Grant Fund |
$73,212.13 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
General Fund |
$18,303.03 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$91,515.16 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |