DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: Cure Violence Grant
SUMMARY:
Consideration of the following two items related to Cure Violence Project grants:
A. An Ordinance authorizing an extension of the grant period for the Cure Violence Project grant from September 30, 2015 to December 31, 2016; and
B. An Ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, in an amount up to $900,000.00 to support the Cure Violence Project; authorizing the acceptance of those funds, upon award; and authorizing the San Antonio Police Department and/or the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District to seek out and apply for additional grants to fund the continuation of the Cure Violence Grant Program beyond December 31, 2016.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) submitted an application to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD) for the Cure Violence Project (Stand Up San Antonio), in collaboration with the San Antonio Metro Health District (SAMHD). An initial award amount of $977,372.00 was approved for the implementation of the program including training and hiring personnel compliment. The submission of the application was authorized with a Special Category Grant Opportunity Authorization with final approval given on February 27, 2014.
The original Ordinance authorized the acceptance of up to $2,000,000 in grant funds for the period of March 1, 2014, and ending September 30, 2015, with an initial funding allotment of $977,372.00. The CJD is in the process of extending the grant period to December 31, 2016, and providing the second round of funding in an amount not to exceed $900,000.00.
Cure Violence, formerly known as CeaseFire, approaches violence as a disease that can be stopped using the same science-based strategies used to fight infectious diseases. By employing an evidence-based public health approach to violence prevention, Cure Violence carefully trains selected members of the community, trusted insiders, to anticipate where violence may occur and to intervene before it occurs. This model engages the entire community to change behavior and recognize that violence is unacceptable and that there are other solutions to resolving conflict.
SAMHD program staff will engage individuals at risk of involvement in a shooting or killing in order to prevent such violence from occurring. The goal of this program is to engage the entire community to change behavior and recognize alternatives to violence and through conflict resolution.
The department is currently measuring the success of the program by tracking the number of successful interventions, such as preventing street violence, involvement, or retaliation by engaging with community members involved in potential criminal situations. Additionally, SAMHD tracks community partners, program participants and their completion of project activities, case management per staff member, conflict resolution meetings, and connection to services, such as housing assistance, employment opportunities or skill development programs and other social service agencies in the area. To do so, outreach workers must become familiar with their assigned neighborhoods and are trained to intervene with high-risk individuals. Since those most at risk are less likely to seek assistance from police, Outreach Workers meet and work with those they assist in non-traditional settings such as parks and street corners during non-traditional hours when local data indicate violence is most likely to occur.
The grant will be used to fund program staff for SAMHD to administer the grant.
The San Antonio Police Department, and/or the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, are also authorized to seek out and apply for additional grants to fun the continuation of the Cure Violence Grant Program beyond December 31, 2016.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and enforcement programs addressing violent crime and gang activity. The program from the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD) will enhance the City's efforts in combating and reducing violent crime in San Antonio.
ALTERNATIVES:
There is currently no alternative funding for this program. If the City elects to not amend the original Ordinance and extend the grant period all grant activities will have to be absorbed by other funds (General Fund or other grants) or the program will have to be suspended.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This grant does not require a cash match and there is no impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the extension of the grant period, the submission and acceptance of funds, and the seeking of additional/alternate funding to continue the Cure Violence Grant Program beyond December 31, 2016.