11-19-2002 CC RPT 26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF RIVERSIDE People Serving People HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: November 19, 2002 ITEM NO.: 26 SUBJECT: CITIZEN'S OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) STATE GRANT 2002 AWARD - ASSEMBLY BILL 3229 - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION BACKGROUND: The Police Department has recently been awarded $535,111 from the State's Citizen's Option for Public Safety (COPS) Program. This program provides grant funds to counties and cities for front line municipal police services. As required by statute, the city has established a Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) to prevent funds received from being intermingled with any other fund in the city treasury. The Supplemental Law Enforcement Oversight Committee (SLEOC), established by the County, must also review expenditures annually. Existing and anticipated funds must be appropriated by City Council in accordance with written requests submitted by the Chief of Police. Use of these funds is limited to front line municipal police services and can only be used to supplement, not supplant, existing funding. The Police Department has identified areas for these funds which include continued funding for the following positions: one office specialist position that supports the Crime Free Multi-Housing Project (CFMH); one Forensic Detective; one office specialist to support the graffiti program; one Police Records/Information Supervisor; and three Police Records Specialists. FISCAL IMPACT: Acceptance of these funds would be a great benefit to the Police Department. The $535,111 from the state has no matching requirements. These funds must be expended by June 2004. This is the seventh year the city has received State COPS funding. ALTERNATIVES: Decline the acceptance of these funds. 26-1