DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Anthony L. Treviño, Jr.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority ReACT Grant 2015
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $1,211,867.00 from the Texas Automobile Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) for the grant year September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016; authorizing an Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Bexar County Sheriff's Office to fund two (2) deputies; approving a cash match of $606,194.00; and an in-kind match of $1,928,043.00; and establishing a budget and personnel complement.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The mission of ABTPA is to lower the automobile theft and burglary rate by instituting innovative enforcement and theft prevention techniques. The funds from ABTPA are attained through a $2.00 surcharge to insured motorists.
The grant proposal requests continued funding for the current ABTPA Grant. The grant project is called Regional Auto Crimes Team (ReACT) and continues the Police Department's efforts at combating vehicle crimes. ReACT is a multi-jurisdictional unit composed of City and County. The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) Auto Theft Unit will work as part of the task force, and its General Fund budget will contribute to the in-kind portion of the grant. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) will work in conjunction with SAPD to assist with these efforts.
Proposed grant funded positions will include the following: one (1) Police Lieutenant; one (1) Police Sergeant; seven (7) Police Detective Investigators; one (1) Administrative Assistant II; one (1) Administrative Assistant I; and two (2) Bexar County Sheriff Detective Investigators. In-kind positions include the following: one (1) Bexar County Sheriff Sergeant; and one (1) Bexar County Sheriff Detective Investigator.
Fiscal Year 2016 is the twenty-third (23) year this grant will be awarded to the San Antonio Police Department. For FY 2016, the total grant funding request is $1,211,867.00, which is an increase of $87,182.00. The grant serves the San Antonio metropolitan area.
ISSUE:
This ordinance continues City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and enforcement programs addressing vehicle crime activity. The program from ABTPA will enhance the City's efforts in dealing with vehicle theft and related property crimes by continuing to recover stolen vehicles and other property through intensified enforcement.
ALTERNATIVES:
An alternative to acceptance of the grant would require the General Fund to absorb one (1) Police Lieutenant; one (1) Police Sergeant; and seven (7) Police Detective Investigator positions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a program budget of $3,746,104.00, including $2,116,387.00 of in-kind contributions. Of the $2,116,387.00 in-kind contributions, the City will contribute $1,928,043.00 and the Bexar County Sheriff's Office $188,344.00. A General Fund cash match of $606,194.00 represents no increase over last year's cash match. The cost of non-city positions funded by the grant will be reimbursed to the appropriate organization in accordance with the interlocal agreement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve the grant application and acceptance upon award. This approval will help enhance efforts to decrease vehicle crime in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.