STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: January 26, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
EXECUTIVE: Jon Fortune
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
title
Authorize the (1) application for and acceptance of the 2021 BJA FY 21 Smart Policing Initiative Grant (Federal/State Award ID. No. 15PBJA-21-GG-04375-SMTP, CFDA No. 16.738) in the amount of $500,000.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice for the purpose of funding for evaluation and monitoring the initiative of the Dallas Police Department by the University of Texas at San Antonio and overtime for officers dedicated to investigations in reducing violence throughout the City of Dallas for the period October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2024; (2) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00, in the FY22 Smart Policing Initiative Fund; (3) receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 in the FY22 Smart Policing Initiative Fund; (4) execution of the grant agreement and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Not to exceed $500,000.00 - Financing: U.S. Department of Justice Grant Funds
body
BACKGROUND
This grant will enhance the implementation of the Dallas Police Department 2021 Violent Crime Reduction Plan over the course of three years. The goal of the program is to reduce violence, particularly gun-related violent crime, throughout the whole City. The Dallas Police Department will work with researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to evaluate and monitor the initiative at pre-determined intervals during the three years. At 90-day intervals, difference-in-difference or time series modeling will be conducted to evaluate the impacts of the strategy on violent crime and calls for service. Every six months, the Chief of Police and UTSA research team will conduct an intensive strategic review to assess the effectiveness of the hot spots strategy and to recommend any changes or adjustments. Each year, a process evaluation will utilize quantitative implementation metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the strategy on violent crime.
Dallas is the ninth largest city in the U.S., inhabited by more than 1.3 million people and policed by approximately 3,100 police officers. In the past three years, violent crime has increased steadily, with a 14% increase from 2018 to 2019 and an additional 5% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. Similarly, street crime indicators, such as murders, robberies, and aggravated assaults, were up 17% in 2019 over 2018, and they increased another 4% in 2020 for a total increase of almost 22% across the most recent three-year period. In Dallas, as in most cities, violent crime is geographically concentrated in a relatively small number of areas within the City. At the beat level, for example, the same four beats have been among the top five violent crime areas in the City across a ten-year period.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2022 |
FY 2023 |
Future Years |
|
U.S. Department of Justice Grant Funds |
$183,215.67 |
$156,495.67 |
$160,288.66 |