HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1c: Use of JAG Funds for Youth and Education Support Police Officer at Arcadia High SchoolSTAFF REPORT
Police Department
DATE: July 20, 2010
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Robert P. Sanderson, Chief of Police
By: Nancy Chik, Senior Management Analyst - --
SUBJECT: Authorize the utilization of a,proposed 2010 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
Assistance Grant LJAGI award in the amount of $16,012 to help offset the
personnel costs of a Youth and Educational Support (YES) police officer at
the Arcadia High School
Recommendation: Approve
SUMMARY
The Arcadia Police Department has applied for a 2010 U.S. Department of Justice
(DOJ), Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance, Edward Byrne
Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $16,012. While the grant
application has been submitted, final approval of funds is pending review by the DOJ.
As part of the multi - phased grant process, local jurisdictions are required to conduct a
public hearing to receive input on the use of the. proposed funds and the DOJ
recommends proceeding with the public hearing while the review is in process.
The JAG grant allows local governments to support a broad range of activities to
prevent and control crime based on local needs and conditions, and staff recommends
utilizing the proposed grant funding to help offset personnel costs of a Youth and
Educational Support (YES) officer at the high school.
BACKGROUND
The YES Program was implemented in 2000 and the Arcadia School Board partnered
with the City in agreeing to co -fund a police officer position at the high school by paying
$50,000 per year. The Department has utilized grant allocations from the DOJ, Local
Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) to help fund the YES officer position in years
past. However, the LLEBG Program was discontinued several years ago, and no grant
awards were used to fund the position since then.
DISCUSSION
JAG funding is now available to provide agencies with the flexibility to prioritize and
place justice funds where they are needed most, and staff recommends using the
proposed grant allocation to continue to partner with the Arcadia Unified School District
to provide an officer on campus grounds.
The YES officer has had a positive impact on the high school campus. Primary
responsibilities of the officer are: 1) to serve as a liaison between the high school and
the Police Department; 2) to interact with students, teachers, and administrators; 3) to
promote campus safety; 4) to provide drug interdiction; and 5) to administer awareness
programs.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds have already been budgeted for the YES officer position in FY 2010 -2011, and
the $16,012 grant allocation will help offset that cost.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the utilization of a proposed 2010 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
Assistance Grant (JAG) award in the amount of $16,012 to help offset the personnel
costs of a Youth and Educational Support (YES) police officer at the Arcadia High
School.
APPROVED:
Donald Penman, City Manager